aviator
Americannoun
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.
Vocabulary lists containing aviator
July Words
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A Farewell To Arms
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They Both Die at the End
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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.
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
The first pilot was found Friday, but it took more than 36 hours to locate the second aviator who was hiding in a mountain crevice.
From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026
The comments came hours after U.S. forces in a daring early Sunday morning mission rescued an American aviator trapped in Iran for more than 24 hours.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026
She liked to wear a well-worn thrift - shop leather aviator jacket and black jeans, otherwise, smart dark suits tailored to make her look leaner than she was.
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
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.
