Definition
A secondary flight control or wing component that increases the lift produced by an airfoil at low airspeeds, allowing an aircraft to take off and land at slower, safer speeds. High-lift devices include flaps, slats, slots, and leading-edge cuffs. They work by increasing the wing's camber, area, or by delaying airflow separation at high angles of attack.
Plain English
A part of the wing that the pilot can extend to make the wing produce more lift at slow speeds, so the aircraft can take off and land without stalling.
Context Anchor
You will see this term in aircraft systems discussions, preflight inspections, takeoff and landing procedures, and the aircraft operating handbook.
Derivation
Straight description: 'high lift' means more lift than the basic wing produces, and 'device' means the mechanical part added to the wing to do that job.
Why Pilots Care
These devices reduce the stall speed and shorten the runway distance needed for safe operations.
Intuition Check
High-lift does not mean the device makes the airplane climb higher. It means the device helps the wing make more lift, usually so the airplane can fly safely at a slower speed.
Example Sentence 1
Before landing, the pilot extended the flaps and slats — the aircraft's main high-lift devices — to allow a slower approach speed.
Example Sentence 2
High-lift devices allow the aircraft to maintain control at speeds below the clean wing stall speed.