Plain English Meaning

It's the map of how air pushes on different parts of a wing. Air moving faster over the top pushes down less, and slower air underneath pushes up more. The overall difference is what holds the airplane up.

Full Definition

The pattern of varying air pressures acting across the surface of an airfoil as it moves through the air. As airflow accelerates over the curved upper surface, static pressure drops, while pressure on the lower surface remains relatively higher. The difference between these pressures, summed across the wing, produces lift. The location and shape of this pressure pattern shifts with changes in angle of attack.

Context Anchor

Seen when studying how a wing produces lift and how airflow around the wing changes with speed, shape, and nose position.