airplane

[ air-pleyn ]

noun

1. 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.
2. any similar heavier-than-air aircraft, as a glider or helicopter.

airplane

/ ˈɛəˌpleɪn /

noun

1. a heavier-than-air powered flying vehicle with fixed wings Also calledaeroplane

Other Word Forms

• pro·airplane adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of airplane¹

1870–75, for an earlier sense; alteration of aeroplane, with air ¹ replacing aero-

Example Sentences

The country has proposed increasing purchases of liquefied natural gas and airplanes from the U.S. to mitigate the trade imbalance.

From Los Angeles Times

"We need to buy more beds, we need more airplane flights and I know a lot of you are here for that reason," Homan said.

From Salon

Steele must surrender his passport and cannot own a boat, airplane or firearm as part of his licence conditions.

From BBC

The Forest of Dean-based firm makes metal moulds that are used to create plastic sections of airplane seats.

From BBC

I was 9 years old again, unaccompanied on an airplane somewhere above the continental U.S., being hurled between two contentiously divorced parents.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aircraft
• airliner
• cab
• jet
• plane
• ship