shear
n. C / Un. a force that pushes different parts of a material in opposite directions, often causing it to bend or break.
n. a strain in the structure of a substance produced by pressure, when its layers are laterally shifted in relation to each other. Often describes the effect of wind or geological forces on a physical body.
The bridge collapsed because of the strong wind shear.
Pilots are trained to handle sudden wind shear, which can cause a dangerous loss of lift during takeoff.
In structural engineering, calculating the shear stress on a beam is critical to ensuring the building can withstand lateral forces like earthquakes or high-velocity winds.
Uncountable when referring to the physical force or stress; countable when referring to specific instances or measurements in engineering.