noun

• The force exerted on a rapidly spinning cylinder or sphere moving through air or another fluid in a direction at an angle to the axis of spin. This force is responsible for the swerving of balls when hit or thrown with spin.

  ‘The lift force is the upwards or sidewards force that is responsible for the Magnus effect.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘A lift-producing arrangement suitable for driving a boat by the Magnus effect comprises an elongate tubular envelope mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis.’