windage

/ˈwɪndɪdʒ/
noun
  1. The effect of the wind on a moving object, such as a bullet or a vehicle, causing it to move off course.
    • The race car driver compensated for windage by steering slightly into the wind.
    • Strong windage made the sailboat drift to the left of its intended path.
    • The sniper adjusted his aim to account for windage before firing.
  2. The space between a moving part and a stationary part in a machine, or the air that moves through that space.
    • The engineer measured the windage between the rotor and the stator in the generator.
    • Excessive windage in the engine caused a loss of power.
    • They reduced windage by adding a seal between the shaft and the housing.
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