Plain English Meaning

Spinning tubes of air that come off the ends of the wings whenever an airplane is flying. They are a side effect of the wing producing lift, and they trail behind the airplane.

Full Definition

Rotating cylinders of air that form at the tips of a wing whenever the wing is producing lift. They are caused by high-pressure air beneath the wing spilling around the wingtip into the lower-pressure area above the wing, creating a tight, spiraling flow that trails behind each wingtip.

Context Anchor

Seen in discussions of takeoff, landing, wake turbulence, and ground effect near the runway.