Definition
A structural member designed primarily to resist compression or longitudinal loads, used in airframes and landing gear to support and brace components such as wings, fuselage sections, or wheels.
Plain English
A sturdy bar or rod that holds two parts of the aircraft apart and carries the load between them, like a brace.
Context Anchor
Pilots commonly notice struts during preflight inspection, especially on airplanes with wing struts or visible landing gear struts.
Derivation
From Old English 'strutian', meaning to stand stiff or rigid. The word kept that sense — a strut is something that stands firm under load.
Why Pilots Care
Struts maintain wing alignment and absorb landing shocks; damage or failure can compromise structural integrity and control.
Intuition Check
Do not think of a strut as just any metal tube or rod. In aviation, a strut is a load-carrying support member that helps hold or brace part of the aircraft.
Example Sentence 1
During preflight, the pilot checked the wing strut attach points for cracks or loose fasteners.
Example Sentence 2
During landing, the main landing-gear strut compressed to absorb the impact.