Definition
A device fitted to an aircraft landing gear that absorbs and dissipates the energy of landing impact and taxi loads, preventing those forces from being transmitted directly into the airframe. Common types include oleo (oil-and-air) struts, spring-steel legs, rubber bungee cords, and rigid struts with tire flex providing the cushioning.
Plain English
The part of the landing gear that softens the bump when the aircraft touches down or rolls over uneven ground, so the impact is not passed straight into the airplane structure.
Context Anchor
Seen during preflight inspections, landing gear discussions, and maintenance write-ups for aircraft with cushioned landing gear.
Derivation
From 'shock' (a sudden jolt or impact) and 'absorber' (something that takes in or soaks up). The name describes its job directly: it takes in the shock of landing so the airframe does not have to.
Why Pilots Care
Working shock absorbers protect the airframe from damage and produce smooth, controllable touchdowns.
Analogy
It works much like the shock absorber on a car: the wheel may hit a bump, but the device helps keep the whole vehicle from taking the full jolt at once.
Intuition Check
Do not read shock here as electrical shock or surprise. In this term, shock means a sudden impact load, such as the force from touchdown or a bump while taxiing.
Example Sentence 1
On preflight, the pilot checked that each oleo shock absorber showed the correct amount of polished strut extension.
Example Sentence 2
A firm touchdown compressed the shock absorber and converted the impact into controlled heat.