traffic pattern
1
4.6
- noun
- /ˈtræfɪk ˈpætərn/
- Specialized
:
patrón de tráfico
- a new traffic pattern
Examples
-
The new traffic pattern should be in effect by the morning commute on Monday, Nov. 19.
Blog text (8) -
The pilot studied the traffic pattern to ensure a smooth landing at the airport.
-
Before landing, the aircraft must follow the specified traffic pattern established for safety.
-
Understanding the traffic pattern is essential for pilots preparing for arrival at busy airports.
Synonyms
1
6.5
A path a plane follows while preparing to land at an airport
1
5.5
The route a plane follows when going down to land, especially the last part before it touches the ground
1
4.4
A path a plane follows as it comes down to land
How Complex
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is directly compositional: 'traffic' (flow/volume) combined with 'pattern' (a recurring arrangement) yields the meaning 'a recurring arrangement of traffic'. The extension of 'traffic' to data/network flows is a straightforward and common metaphor, so a B1 learner who knows both constituent words can reliably infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Traffic pattern paints the picture of planes flying the same route around an airport as they get ready to land, like cars following a fixed road. Pilots and controllers use that fixed 'path' to keep planes safe, so the phrase means the prescribed way aircraft move before 'landing'.