aeronaut

[ air-uh-nawt, -not ]

noun

1. the pilot of a balloon or other lighter-than-air aircraft.
2. a traveler in an airship.

aeronaut

/ ˈɛərəˌnɔːt /

noun

1. a person who flies in a lighter-than-air craft, esp the pilot or navigator

Word History and Origins

Origin of aeronaut¹

1775–85; < French aéronaute < Greek āero- aero- + naútēs sailor; nautical, Argonaut

Example Sentences

Without any prior knowledge of ballooning, Donaldson bartered his way into owning a hot air balloon and debuted as an aeronaut in 1871.

From Salon

His advanced technical innovations with balloon reconnaissance prompted President Lincoln to make him “chief aeronaut” of the Union army’s balloon corps.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Friedlander’s Aeronaut Brewery has even explored using nitrogen as a source of fizz in lieu of carbon dioxide.

From Washington Times

Sempill offered a ride to another passenger, the aeronaut Charles Dollfus, an attaché with the French Air Ministry.

From Slate

The aeronaut took with him a barometer, a thermometer, and a chronometer.

From Literature

Related Words

• aviator
• captain
• flier
• leader
• navigator