Definition 1 of 2
Definition
An airfoil-shaped surface attached to the fuselage of an aircraft that produces the lift required to support the aircraft in flight. The wing's cross-sectional shape causes air flowing over it to generate a pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces, creating an upward force that opposes the aircraft's weight.
Plain English
The main lifting surface of an aircraft. As the aircraft moves forward, air flowing around the wing's curved shape produces the upward force that holds the aircraft up.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft structure, preflight inspection, performance, and flight-control discussions.
Derivation
From Old Norse 'vængr,' meaning the limb a bird uses to fly. The aviation term carries the same idea directly: the part of the aircraft that does the flying work, just as a bird's wing does for the bird.
Why Pilots Care
The wings create the lift required for flight; damage, ice, or improper loading on them directly affects safety and performance.
Intuition Check
Do not think of a wing as just a flat side panel. In aviation, the wing is a carefully shaped lifting surface designed to support the aircraft in flight.
Example Sentence 1
During the preflight inspection, the pilot checked the upper surface of each wing for frost before the first flight of the morning.
Example Sentence 2
In a left turn the right wing travels faster through the air and produces more lift.