airflow
UK: ˈeəfləʊ | US: ˈerfloʊ
n. the movement of air, especially in a confined space or as part of a system
n. the pattern or direction of air currents
The word "airflow" is a compound of "air" (from Old French air, Latin aer, Greek aēr, meaning "atmosphere") and "flow" (from Old English flōwan, meaning "to move steadily"). It emerged in the early 20th century, combining these two morphemes to describe the movement of air, particularly in engineering and environmental contexts. The logic is straightforward: "air" + "flow" = "movement of air."
The airflow in the room improved after we opened the windows.
Engineers measured the airflow through the ventilation system.
The aircraft's design optimizes airflow over the wings.
Poor airflow can cause overheating in electronic devices.
The lab studied how plants affect indoor airflow patterns.