Plain English Meaning
The speed a pilot flies while circling the airport to land. It is slow enough to make turns and lower flaps and gear safely, but fast enough to stay well above a stall.
Full Definition
The airspeed used while flying the traffic pattern around an airport, slower than cruise but faster than approach, set to allow safe maneuvering, configuration changes, and spacing with other traffic before final approach.
Context Anchor
Seen in stall training, traffic-pattern work, and approach , especially when the is slowed and configured as it would be .