A de Laval nozzle (or convergent-divergent nozzle, CD nozzle or con-di nozzle) is a tube that is pinched in the middle, making a carefully balanced, asymmetric hourglass-shape. It is used to accelerate a hot, pressurized gas passing through it to a supersonic speed, and upon expansion, to shape the exhaust flow so that the heat energy propelling the flow is maximally converted into directed kinetic energy. Because of this, the nozzle is widely used in some types of steam turbines, and is used as a rocket engine nozzle. It also sees use in supersonic jet engines.
Similar flow properties have been applied to jet streams within astrophysics.
Read more about De Laval Nozzle: History, Operation, Conditions For Operation, Analysis of Gas Flow in De Laval Nozzles, Exhaust Gas Velocity, Examples