yaw
Yaw (noun) means the rotation of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle from side to side around its vertical axis. Example: “Turbulence caused a noticeable yaw in the aircraft's nose.”
How to use yaw
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSwinging left and right off a straight course, or the technical term for that side-to-side rotation in ships and aircraft.
In aviation, yaw (side to side), pitch (nose up/down), and roll (tilting side to side) are three distinct axes of movement — don't mix them up.
Word forms
yawed past tense, yaws plural, yaws plural, Yaws plural, yaws singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Turbulence caused a noticeable _____ in the aircraft's nose.
Etymology
Origin uncertain, first recorded in the mid-1500s; possibly linked to an Old Norse word meaning to chase or drive back and forth.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “yaw” mean?
The word “yaw” means the rotation of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle from side to side around its vertical axis. In plain terms, swinging left and right off a straight course, or the technical term for that side-to-side rotation in ships and aircraft.
How do you pronounce “yaw”?
“Yaw” is pronounced yaw (/jɔː/ in IPA).
How do you use “yaw” in a sentence?
Here is “yaw” used in a sentence: “Turbulence caused a noticeable yaw in the aircraft's nose.”
What part of speech is “yaw”?
Depending on how it is used, “yaw” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “yaw” come from?
The word “yaw” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Old Norse. Origin uncertain, first recorded in the mid-1500s; possibly linked to an Old Norse word meaning to chase or drive back and forth.
How many meanings does “yaw” have?
“Yaw” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the rotation of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle from side to side around its vertical axis.
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