noun

aileron

AY-luh-ron

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Aileron (noun) means an aileron is a hinged flap on the back edge of an aircraft wing that the pilot moves to control the plane's roll. Example: “The pilot eased the stick to the left, and the aileron on that wing tilted downward.”

noun

An aileron is a hinged flap on the back edge of an aircraft wing that the pilot moves to control the plane's roll.

"The pilot eased the stick to the left, and the aileron on that wing tilted downward."

"A jammed aileron can make an aircraft very difficult to bank."

"Ailerons on each wing work in opposite directions to roll the plane."

architecture In architecture, an aileron is a half gable, seen for instance where a penthouse roof slopes down or beside a church's aisle.

"The old church roof had a small aileron above the side aisle."

"An aileron finished off the sloping end of the penthouse roof."

Examples of aileron in a sentence →

How to use aileron

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe moving flap on a wing that tilts a plane left or right.

When to use it

It's a technical aviation term, not used in everyday conversation outside that context.

Memory tip

Think of it as the part that makes a plane roll or bank, not the part that makes it climb or dive.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

elevator → spoiler →

Common pairings

move the aileron aileron control wing aileron jammed aileron

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “aileron” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The pilot eased the stick to the left, and the _____ on that wing tilted downward.

Etymology

Aileron was borrowed from French, where it is a diminutive of aile, meaning wing, and originally described the tip of a bird's wing used to steer its flight. The word first appeared in print in the 7th edition of Cassell's French-English Dictionary in 1877, and it began to be used for the part of an aeroplane wing around 1908, in a French aviation journal.

Origin: French

Rhymes for aileron

heron Peron Oberon Theron Cameron chaperon Calderon

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Frequently asked questions

What does aileron mean?

It's the hinged control surface on the trailing edge of an aircraft wing, moved to make the plane roll left or right.

Where does the word aileron come from?

It comes from French aile, meaning wing, and was originally a term for the tip of a bird's wing before it was applied to aircraft.

Does aileron have any meaning outside aviation?

Yes, in architecture it can describe a half gable, for example at the end of a penthouse roof or along a church aisle.

What is the meaning of aileron?

"aileron" (noun) means an aileron is a hinged flap on the back edge of an aircraft wing that the pilot moves to control the plane's roll.