Plain English Meaning

The slowest speed at which the wings can still hold the airplane up. Go any slower and the wings stop working as wings, and the airplane stalls.

Full Definition

The minimum airspeed at which an airplane, in a given configuration and at a given weight and load factor, can maintain level flight without exceeding the critical angle of attack. Below this speed, the wing can no longer produce enough lift to support the airplane and a stall occurs.

Context Anchor

Seen in stall training, takeoff and landing planning, and for and landing-configuration .