Plain English Meaning

The fastest speed at which you can yank the controls fully or hit rough air without bending or breaking the airplane. Go faster than this and a hard control input or strong gust could cause structural damage.

Full Definition

The maximum speed at which the airplane can be subjected to an abrupt and full deflection of the flight controls, or encounter a sudden vertical gust, without exceeding the airplane's structural load limits. Below this speed, the wing will stall before it can generate enough lift to overstress the airframe. Maneuvering speed decreases with weight and is published in the Pilot's Operating , often shown as Va.