Definition
The aerodynamic force produced by a wing or other airfoil acting perpendicular to the relative wind. Lift is generated when air flowing over and under the airfoil creates a pressure difference, with lower pressure above the wing and higher pressure below. It is the force that opposes weight and supports the aircraft in flight.
Plain English
Lift is the upward force a wing creates as it moves through the air. It is what holds the airplane up.
Context Anchor
You will see this term in basic flight theory, takeoff and landing discussions, stall discussions, and aircraft control explanations.
Derivation
From the Old English 'lyftan,' meaning to raise or pick up. The aviation use keeps that everyday sense -- something is being held up -- but ties it to a specific physical force produced by an airfoil moving through air.
Why Pilots Care
Lift must equal weight for level flight; too little lift causes descent or a stall.
Analogy
Holding your hand out of a car window at a slight angle gives a simple picture of lift: moving air can push a surface upward. An airplane wing does this in a controlled and much more efficient way.
Grounding Statement
When enough air flows over the wing in the right way, the wing produces lift and the airplane can stay in the air.
Intuition Check
Lift does not just mean “going up.” In aviation, lift is a force made by airflow, and in a turn it can point partly sideways instead of straight upward.
Example Sentence 1
As the pilot increased the angle of attack on takeoff roll, the wings produced enough lift to overcome the airplane's weight and it became airborne.
Example Sentence 2
In a steep turn the pilot raised the nose slightly to keep lift equal to the increased load.