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 Words From

• 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

To use lidar, scientists fly an airplane over the area they want to study.

From NewsForKids.net

Koji Murata, one of the scientists behind the project, points out that in the early 1900s, “airplanes were made of wood.”

From NewsForKids.net

“The airplane seat — that’s a bummer for the person who sits there next,” she said in the follow-up video.

From Los Angeles Times

Such a move could hit billions of pounds' worth of British exports, including Scotch whisky, pharmaceutical products, and airplane parts.

From BBC

The researchers analyzed over 26,000 airplanes and 18 million trips — representing most private flights between 2019 and 2023 — and found that more than two-thirds of all private jets were based in the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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