yaw
yaw Lexical Profile
yaw Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A twisting or oscillating motion of a moving ship, aircraft, or spacecraft around its vertical axis, causing it to deviate temporarily from its intended straight course.
"The flight control system automatically adjusted the rudder to counteract the sudden yaw caused by the crosswind."
• verb
To turn or oscillate horizontally around a vertical axis, deviating temporarily from a straight course (especially of a moving ship, aircraft, or spacecraft).
"The small sailboat began to yaw wildly as the heavy swells struck its stern."
Word Nuance & Usage
In aviation and maritime navigation, 'yaw' refers specifically to horizontal rotation around the vertical axis (turning left or right), distinct from 'pitch' (tilting the nose up or down) and 'roll' (tilting the wings or hull from side to side).