d'Alembert's paradox

proper noun

The contradiction that, for incompressible and inviscid potential flow, the drag force is zero on a body moving with constant velocity relative to the fluid.

Similar
hydrodynamic paradox
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Meanings

d'Alembert's paradox1

proper noun

alternative D'Alembert's paradox

  1. fluid dynamicsThe contradiction that, for incompressible and inviscid potential flow, the drag force is zero on a body moving with constant velocity relative to the fluid.

    Synonyms: hydrodynamic paradox

D'Alembert's paradox2

proper noun
  1. alternativeAlternative form of d'Alembert's paradox.

Synonyms & antonyms

proper nounThe contradiction that, for incompressible and inviscid potential flow, the drag force is zero on a body moving with constant velocity relative to the fluid.

Similar
hydrodynamic paradox

Origin

Observed in 1752 by French mathematician Jean le Rond d'Alembert.

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Cite this entry
APA

d'Alembert's paradox. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/d'Alembert's%20paradox

MLA

“d'Alembert's paradox.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/d'Alembert's%20paradox. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “d'Alembert's paradox,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/d'Alembert's%20paradox.

Source: d'Alembert's paradox on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.