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Definition of contrail

contrail

/ˈkɑːn.treɪl/
con · trail
Plural:contrails
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contrail Lexical Profile

contrail Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A visible line-shaped cloud of condensed water vapor or ice crystals produced by aircraft engine exhaust or changes in air pressure at high altitudes.

Example

"The children looked up at the clear blue sky and watched a white contrail stretch behind the high-flying passenger jet."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for contrail

• Nearby Words

contradictorily
contradictory
contraflow
contrail
contralto
contraplex
contraption

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the 1940s during World War II as a blend (portmanteau) of "condensation" and "trail."

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Contrail. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/contrail
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