Plain English Meaning

A smooth shape, fat in front and tapered to a point at the back, that lets air slip past it cleanly. It produces less drag than a flat or blunt shape of the same size.

Full Definition

A streamlined shape that is rounded at the front and tapers smoothly to a point at the rear, designed to allow air to flow around it with minimal turbulence and the least possible form drag.

Context Anchor

Seen in aerodynamics discussions of form drag, especially when comparing blunt objects with smoother shapes.

Derivation

Named because the shape resembles a falling drop of water — round at the leading end and trailing to a point. Engineers found that air, like water, flows around this shape with the least disturbance, which is why it became the reference shape for -drag design.