wingbeat

Single wing cycle

A wingbeat is one complete up-and-down cycle of a wing in flight.

The term appears in discussions of birds, insects, and aircraft: A hummingbird's wingbeat can exceed eighty times per second.

Wingbeat frequency and pattern help identify species and determine flight efficiency.

flight

flap

One-sided attached cover

soarAscend to heights
glideMove with effortless continuity
hoverRemain suspended midair

ascend · feathers · plumage · aerodynamics · lift · drag · airstream · flock · migrate · takeoff

rhythm

pulse

Arterial blood throb

throbBeat with intensity
cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
tempoRate of musical performance

flutter · oscillation · palpitation · pattern · timing · frequency · regularity · syncopation · meter · vibration

sound

whir

Continuous humming sound

whooshRushing air sound
rustleSoft crackling sound
humLow steady sound

drone · buzz · thrum · flapping · whisper · murmur · swoosh · flutter · soft · thunderous

Categories

flightflying, fly, flight, aviation, aircraft
wingsflight feather, pinion, feather, winglet
wing anatomyforewing, hindwing, venation, costa, radius
animal soundsbark, meow, woof, moo, roar
wing partsaileron, flap, winglet, primaries, secondaries

Opposites

mode of aerial locomotion

wingbeatglide

Move with effortless continuity

gliding · soar · soaring · drift · hover

movement vs. stillness

wingbeatstillness

Complete lack of motion

roosting · perching · perched · grounded

Family

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G