brake fade

noun

Partial or total loss of braking force with prolonged continuous or repetitive application of a heavy vehicle's brakes, due to the effects on the brake system of the heat generated by heavy braking.

“To help prevent a runaway caused by brake fade, heavy trucks are required to stop at the top of the downgrade to give their brakes time to cool.”

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Meanings

nounbrake fade (uncountable)
  1. uncountableautomotivePartial or total loss of braking force with prolonged continuous or repetitive application of a heavy vehicle's brakes, due to the effects on the brake system of the heat generated by heavy braking.

    To help prevent a runaway caused by brake fade, heavy trucks are required to stop at the top of the downgrade to give their brakes time to cool.

Cite this entry
APA

brake fade. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/brake%20fade

MLA

“brake fade.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/brake%20fade. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “brake fade,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/brake%20fade.

Source: brake fade on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.