aviator

American  

[ey-vee-ey-ter, av-ee-] / ˈeɪ viˌeɪ tər, ˈæv i- /

noun

1. a pilot of an airplane or other heavier-than-air aircraft.

2. aviators, aviator glasses.

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aviator British  

/ ˈeɪvɪˌeɪtə /

noun

1. old-fashioned the pilot of an aeroplane or airship; flyer

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Other Word Forms

• aviatrix noun

Etymology

Origin of aviator

1885–90; < French aviateur. See aviation ( def. ), -eur ( def. )

Explanation

An aviator is a pilot. Every aircraft you see in the sky has an aviator in it. Aviation is the science that makes airplanes and other vehicles that fly through the air. An aviator is someone who flies one of those vehicles. This is kind of an old-fashioned word: these days, you're much more likely to hear aviators referred to as pilots. Some aviators work for airlines, while others own private planes. Helicopters and blimps have aviators too.

Example Sentences

A year later, American aviator Charles Lindbergh made the first solo, nonstop trans-Atlantic flight aboard the Spirit of St. Louis plane.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

"This was... a race against the clock, as it was critical that we locate the downed aviator as quickly as possible, while at the same time keeping our enemies misdirected," Ratcliffe told the news conference.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

For nearly two days, injured and alone, a U.S. aviator hid in a remote mountain crevice as Iranian forces and militias closed in on him with helicopters and drones.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Reid Wiseman, a 50-year-old former naval aviator and test pilot who also formerly served as a deputy chief of NASA's astronaut office, will be in command.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

“Frederick, honestly. You’d lose your head if it weren’t wrapped inside your aviator hat. The keys are hanging on the peg by the front door.”

From "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• flier
• navigator
• pilot