Engineering English
Trailing Edge
Aerospace Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: The rear edge of an airfoil or wing where the airflow rejoins after passing over the surface. It is often the location for control surfaces like flaps and ailerons.
Example in context
“A flap located at the trailing edge increases lift during takeoff and landing phases.”
“Firar kenarında bulunan bir flap, kalkış ve iniş aşamalarında lifti artırır.”
Where engineers use it
Engineers design the trailing edge geometry to integrate flaps and ailerons, and to minimize drag due to flow separation at high angles of attack.
Synonyms: TE
Antonyms: leading edge
Practice: can you use “Trailing Edge” at work?
During a design review, you must explain why a thicker trailing edge reduces drag but may limit flap deployment angles.
Show a model answer
“The trailing edge is critical for control surface effectiveness.”
“Trailing Edge” in 21 languages
| English | Trailing Edge |
|---|---|
| Turkish | firar kenarı |
| French | bord de fuite |
| German | Hinterkante |
| Spanish | borde de salida |
| Chinese | 后缘 |
| Arabic | الحافة الخلفية |
| Portuguese | bordo de fuga |
| Russian | задняя кромка |
| Japanese | 後縁 |
| Italian | bordo d'uscita |
| Vietnamese | cạnh sau |
| Hindi | पिछला किनारा |
| Thai | ขอบท้าย |
| Indonesian | tepi belakang |
| Korean | 뒷전 |
| Bengali | ট্রেলিং এজ |
| Dutch | achterrand |
| Swedish | bakre kant |
| Finnish | takarreuna |
| Ukrainian | задня кромка |
Frequently asked questions
What does Trailing Edge mean in engineering?
The rear edge of an airfoil or wing where the airflow rejoins after passing over the surface. It is often the location for control surfaces like flaps and ailerons. In Aerospace Engineering, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Trailing Edge?
Trailing Edge is pronounced /ˈtreɪlɪŋ ɛdʒ/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Trailing Edge used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “A flap located at the trailing edge increases lift during takeoff and landing phases.”
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