Plain English Meaning

Yaw is when the airplane's nose swings left or right, like turning your head from side to side without tilting it.

Full Definition

Rotation of the airplane about its vertical axis, causing the nose to move left or right. Yaw is controlled primarily by the rudder.

Context Anchor

You will see yaw when learning the airplane’s three basic motions, using the rudder, and keeping the airplane coordinated in flight.

Derivation

From an old nautical term meaning to deviate or wander off course. Originally used for ships swinging off heading, the word carried over to aircraft to describe the same kind of side-to-side movement of the nose.