Definition
The forward opening and internal duct of a gas turbine engine through which outside air enters and is delivered, smoothly and at the correct speed and pressure, to the compressor.
Plain English
The mouth of the engine — the opening at the front where air gets sucked in before the engine does anything with it.
Context Anchor
Seen in gas turbine engine descriptions, preflight inspection, and discussions of airflow into the engine.
Derivation
From the plain English 'in' + 'take' — literally 'what is taken in.' In aviation it refers specifically to the air taken into the engine.
Why Pilots Care
The intake must deliver clean, smooth airflow to the compressor; blockages or poor design can cause compressor stall, foreign object damage, or loss of thrust.
Intuition Check
Intake does not mean the engine is taking in fuel here. In this context, it mainly means the path where outside air enters the turbine engine.
Example Sentence 1
During the walk-around, the pilot checked the engine intake for ice, debris, and any sign of damage to the inlet lip.
Example Sentence 2
At high speed the intake shape helps ram additional air into the compressor.