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Wing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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wing

[wɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

bird anatomy

The wing is the part of a bird's body that it uses for flying. Wings are typically composed of feathers and have a strong, lightweight structure that allows for efficient flight.

Synonyms

feathered appendage, flight appendage.

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Word Description / Examples
wing

Commonly used to describe the limbs of a bird or an airplane that allow it to fly. It can also be used metaphorically to describe parts of buildings or organizations.

  • The bird spread its wings and took off into the sky.
  • They added a new wing to the hospital.
  • The left wing of the political party proposed new policies.
feathered appendage

Primarily used in more scientific or descriptive contexts when referring to the wings of birds. It emphasizes the presence of feathers.

  • The owl's feathered appendages allow it to fly silently.
  • Birds with larger feathered appendages are generally better at flying long distances.
flight appendage

Often used in scientific or technical contexts to describe organs or structures that facilitate flight in animals, not just birds, but also in insects and other flying creatures.

  • Insects have different types of flight appendages depending on their species.
  • The study focused on the evolution of flight appendages in pterosaurs.

Examples of usage

  • The eagle spread its wings and soared through the sky.
  • The hummingbird's wings beat incredibly fast, allowing it to hover in place.
Context #2 | Noun

aircraft

In the context of aircraft, a wing is a rigid, horizontal airfoil that extends from the fuselage of the aircraft. Wings generate lift and are essential for the aircraft to achieve flight.

Synonyms

aerofoil, airfoil.

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Word Description / Examples
wing

Common term used to refer to the major horizontal surfaces on either side of an airplane's fuselage that generate lift. It can also refer to the limbs of birds and insects used for flight, or metaphorically to denote a part of a group or organization.

  • The bird flapped its wings and flew away.
  • The right wing of the aircraft was damaged during the storm.
  • They belong to the liberal wing of the party.
airfoil

Technical term mainly used in American English, similar to 'aerofoil', referring to the shape of a wing, blade, or sail that is used to generate lift, drag, or thrust when moving through the air.

  • The airfoil's shape was carefully analyzed to reduce drag.
  • Innovations in airfoil technology have significantly enhanced aircraft performance.
aerofoil

Technical term used predominantly in British English for the shape of a wing or blade (of a propeller, rotor, or turbine) that is designed to produce lift or thrust when moving through air.

  • The engineers optimized the aerofoil design to improve fuel efficiency.
  • Wind tunnel tests showed the new aerofoil had excellent performance.

Examples of usage

  • The plane's wings were equipped with flaps to control lift during takeoff and landing.
  • The design of the wing plays a crucial role in the aerodynamics of the aircraft.
Context #3 | Verb

informal

To wing something is to do it with little preparation or effort, often relying on natural talent or intuition.

Synonyms

improvise, wing it.

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Word Description / Examples
wing

Usually refers to the appendage on birds and some insects that enables flight, or metaphorically to parts of structures that extend outward.

  • The eagle spread its wings and soared into the sky.
  • The hospital is adding a new wing for the pediatric department.
improvise

Used when someone makes or does something without preparation, often creatively solving an unexpected problem.

  • When the actor forgot his lines, he had to improvise the rest of the scene.
  • We didn't have the right ingredients, so we had to improvise a new recipe.

Examples of usage

  • She decided to wing the presentation and just speak off the cuff.
  • He's known for winging his way through exams without much studying.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • Wings create lift through a special shape; they are wider on top and narrower on the bottom, allowing air pressure to differ.
  • Insects have a unique wing structure with a network of veins, allowing them to be lightweight but strong.
  • Birds can have different types of wings (like gliding or flapping) depending on their species and flying style.

Art

  • Wings have been a popular subject in art and literature, symbolizing freedom and aspiration since ancient times.
  • In famous Renaissance art, angels are often depicted with large, graceful wings to convey divine messages.
  • Modern artists sometimes use wing imagery to explore themes of transformation and escape.

Pop Culture

  • In many movies, wings are used as a symbol of superhero abilities, like being able to fly and save the day.
  • The character of Peter Pan is iconic for having the ability to fly thanks to the power of imagination and fairy dust, using wings as a metaphor.
  • Wing symbolism is prevalent in fantasy literature, with creatures like dragons often possessing powerful wings to soar through the skies.

Biology

  • Different animals have adapted their wings for various functions: hummingbirds have fast-flapping wings for hovering, while eagles have long wings for soaring.
  • Birds and bats are the most well-known flying animals, but some species of frogs and fish have evolved wing-like structures for gliding.
  • Wings are also important in mating displays; many birds show off colorful or elaborate wings during courtship.

Origin of 'wing'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originates from Old English 'winge', which referred to the wing of a bird.
  • Connected to Proto-Germanic '*wīngō', which also meant wing or fin, showing an ancient understanding of flight.
  • Over time, 'wing' has expanded metaphorically to describe any kind of extension or flanking action.

The word 'wing' has Old English origins, with its roots in the Germanic word 'wanga' meaning 'wing'. Over time, the word evolved to refer to both the anatomical part of birds and the aircraft component. The use of 'wing' as a verb to mean 'to do something with little preparation' likely originated in American English slang. The versatility and adaptability associated with wings have made the word a common metaphor in various contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,955, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.