airplane
Americannoun
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a heavier-than-air aircraft kept aloft by the upward thrust exerted by the passing air on its fixed wings and driven by propellers, jet propulsion, etc.
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any similar heavier-than-air aircraft, as a glider or helicopter.
noun
Other Word Forms
- proairplane adjective
Etymology
Origin of airplane
1870–75, for an earlier sense; alteration of aeroplane, with air 1 replacing aero-
Compare meaning
How does airplane compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
An airplane is a flying vehicle that has fixed wings and engines or propellers that thrust it forward through the air. It's most common when you travel long distances to take an airplane. An airplane is the form of transportation you'll probably choose when you need to go from New York to California — it's the fastest and safest way to get there. Commercial airplanes are flown by a pilot and staffed by a crew. In Britain, it's still called an aeroplane, from the Greek aero-, "air," and French planer, "to soar," by way of the French aéroplane.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On Thursday, the damaged airplane was towed away, and authorities said they were working to reopen the runway where the collision took place "no later than Friday morning".
From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026
Because high-income households generally spend a relatively big share of their earnings on services such as airplane tickets and restaurant meals, services inflation has stayed elevated, said Eugenio Aleman, chief economist at Raymond James.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026
Irish filmmaker John Kelly, who specializes in animation, had a panic attack on an airplane while going through endless flagged emails.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026
The restrictions are part of a nationwide “safety review of airports with mixed helicopter and airplane traffic,” the agency said.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2026
The airplane comes clattering and roaring through the sky, and whatever might be lurking secretly up there in the great cloud-mountains goes running for cover at its approach.
From "James and the Giant Peach" by Roald Dahl
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
