: a small wing
also
: a nearly vertical airfoil at an airplane's wingtip that reduces drag by inhibiting turbulence
Examples of winglet in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This also would have helped the animal move more efficiently, kind of like the upward-pointing winglets on the tips of commercial airplane wings, which help reduce drag.
—
Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025
The small upturned tips of each wing are called winglets, and although they weren’t added to the big airliners until the late 1980s, they were invented more than a century earlier.
—Ian Rose, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 June 2025
In the more recent age of winglets and wind tunnels, aero profiles have evolved to cut drag and put more of a focus on front-end downforce.
—Joe Salas
may 25, New Atlas, 25 May 2025
Four winglets move and adjust according to the needs of the moment, reducing aero downforce at higher speeds, generating greater downforce in cornering, and serving as an air brake.
—Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for winglet
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025
The small upturned tips of each wing are called winglets, and although they weren’t added to the big airliners until the late 1980s, they were invented more than a century earlier.
—Ian Rose, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 June 2025
In the more recent age of winglets and wind tunnels, aero profiles have evolved to cut drag and put more of a focus on front-end downforce.
—Joe Salas
may 25, New Atlas, 25 May 2025
Four winglets move and adjust according to the needs of the moment, reducing aero downforce at higher speeds, generating greater downforce in cornering, and serving as an air brake.
—Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for winglet
Cite this Entry
“Winglet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/winglet. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share