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flow of air

flow of air

1 2.6
Air moving through a place or system
  • noun
  • /floʊ ʌv ɛr/
translation icon : flujo de aire
  • Proper ventilation ensures that there is a constant flow of air throughout the building.

Since polyester restricts the flow of air, trapped chemicals are reabsorbed by the skin from your pores.

Examples

  • The engineer adjusted the design to improve the flow of air to enhance the efficiency of the cooling system.

  • When the smooth flow of air is interrupted over a section of the wing, turbulence is created, which causes a loss of lift and an increase in drag.

    Academic text (2003)
  • The flow of air over each individual part of the system is influenced by the flow over the rest of the system.

    Academic text (1993)
  • You're seeing a very aggressive flow of air going straight to that back fan, getting pushed by that front fan.

  • Good posture allows an open, unobstructed flow of air.

    Academic text (2011)
  • In the case of wind turbines, the flow of air across the blades creates lift that turns the rotor.

    Academic text (2010)
  • Affected patients experience cyclical awakenings during the night when complete obstruction prevents the flow of air to the lungs.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Well, this summer it's been consistently farther south, sending storm after storm into the Gulf of Alaska, keeping a cool southeast flow of air aimed at the southern coast.

    Blog text (30)
  • Each subtropical gyre is created by mountainous flows of air moving from the tropics toward the polar regions.

    Academic text (2003)
  • The XpandAirFlow controller has been designed to isolate a compressed-air system's supply side from its demand side by regulating the flow of air between the two sides.

    Academic text (1997)

Synonyms

flow
vsflow of air
188 1.0

A steady movement of liquid or gas

applies that idea specifically to air movement under various influences
current
vsflow of air
166 3.2

A steady flow of water, air, or ideas

is used here to mean movement specifically influenced by forces or devices
circulation
vsflow of air
25 4.0

The movement of air or water through a system

is specifically about movement of air rather than any substance generally
draft
vsflow of air
  • US
24 3.1

A small flow of cold air that moves through a room or fireplace

is focused specifically on air movement influenced by forces or devices
airflow
vsflow of air
13 3.5

The movement of air through or around things

is more general, including movement caused by nature or equipment
air current
vsflow of air
4 3.3

A movement of air from one place to another

is the general concept of such movement, not only fast or noticeable cases
flux
vsflow of air
3 7.7

A continuous movement of liquid, gas, or particles in one direction

is narrower, applying that fluid movement idea specifically to air
air flow
vsflow of air
  • Specialized
1 2.8

Movement of air through a space or system

is broader, covering general movement affected by natural forces or machines
current of air
vsflow of air
1 3.5

A flow of air moving through a space, often as a breeze or strong gust

covers that pressure movement but also other circulation types
airstream
vsflow of air
1 4.2

A steady current of air that moves across a region

is broader, including both local currents and larger prevailing winds
fluxion
vsflow of air
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A flow of liquid, often an unusual discharge from the body

is the practical term used for air movement in modern contexts

Antonyms

1 6.5

Still water that does not move in pipes or lakes, causing poor quality

How Strong

storm
1.0
gale
24 5.8
wind
1.0
flow of air
1 2.6
draft
  • US
24 3.1
breeze
201 1.0
still
1.0

Surface Forms

flow of air singular
flows of air plural

Morphology

flow + of + air

The phrase 'flow of air' is directly compositional: 'flow' (steady movement) combined with 'air' clearly yields 'movement of air', with 'of' simply marking the relationship. This is a cross-linguistically common noun + of + noun pattern and would be immediately understandable to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Flow of air paints a simple picture: the word flow suggests a steady stream and air is the moving gas, so imagine a current of air moving through a room or pipe. That's why it means the 'movement' or 'circulation' of air.