airbrake

Definition

A brake (slowing device) that is operated pneumatically (by air pressure).

Etymology

From air + brake.

Example Sentences

• "The powerful airbrake of the truck quickly brought it to a stop."
• "These VEAs (of which some 550 were built in total) would themselves have been converted from 1962 vanwides, refurbished and fitted with airbrakes specifically with Ministry of Defence munitions traffic in mind, as many military establishments and depots would have had track too sharply curved for newer airbraked wagons."
• "The BAe 146 and Fokker 100's tailcone-mounted airbrakes allow them to slow down quickly for steep approaches without experiencing the lift degradation seen with spoiler-only aircraft."