Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun The downward deflection of air from a moving object, such as an airplane wing or propeller.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun downward air turbulence caused by a propeller or jet, but especially by helicopter blades
  • noun The downward motion of air as a result of eddies behind a wing or chimney. etc.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From down- +‎ wash

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Examples

  • "There is then potential for a breakthrough in the current Libyan stalemate to create a short-term downwash in oil prices, but we would not expect that move to stick for long," the analysts said.

    unknown title 2011

  • The aircraft's heavy "downwash" of air from the rotors is so strong it has dislodged on-deck equipment.

    Stars and Stripes 2009

  • Coroner Andrew Walker ruled that the blast which killed Corporal Mark Wright, 27, was caused by the 'downwash' from a Chinook which had been sent to rescue a platoon of Paras stranded in an unmarked minefield.

    Home | Mail Online 2008

  • Corporal Mark Wright, of the 3rd battalion Parachute Regiment, was killed by a landmine set off by the 'downwash' from a Chinook

    Home | Mail Online 2008

  • On both days I visited, smoke was blowing toward the base, and a "downwash" effect was causing the smoke to billow across playing fields into base housing and schools. "

    Veterans Today - News for U.S. Military Veterans Jobs, VA Benefits, Home Loans, Hospitals & Administration 2009

  • On both days I visited, smoke was blowing toward the base, and a "downwash" effect was causing the smoke to billow across playing fields into base housing and schools. "

    Veterans Today - News for U.S. Military Veterans Jobs, VA Benefits, Home Loans, Hospitals & Administration 2009

  • On both days I visited, smoke was blowing toward the base, and a "downwash" effect was causing the smoke to billow across playing fields into base housing and schools. "

    Veterans Today - News for U.S. Military Veterans Jobs, VA Benefits, Home Loans, Hospitals & Administration 2009

  • Shaffer and Sweaney exchanged grins and a thumbs-up as they brought the new Osprey in over a small stand of trees between the river and the parade ground and their rotor downwash only blew a few leaves and branches down.

    The Dream Machine Richard Whittle 2010

  • With the downwash from its rotors kicking up clouds of dust, Erhart then lifted the XV-15 into a hover and climbed vertically to about 100 feet, roughly a third as high as the Capitol dome.

    The Dream Machine Richard Whittle 2010

  • When a rotorcraft takes off straight up or hovers, it has to produce a pound of thrust for every pound it weighs, plus enough to compensate for whatever portion of its rotor downwash pushes down on the fuselage and other parts of the machine.

    The Dream Machine Richard Whittle 2010

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