aeronautics
Americannoun
noun
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The design, construction and operation of aircraft.
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The scientific study of flight through the atmosphere.
Etymology
Origin of aeronautics
1820–25; < New Latin aeronautica or French aéronautique; see aero-, nautical, -ics
Explanation
If you have a passion for airplanes and other aircraft, you might be destined for a career in aeronautics, which is the study and design of flying machines within the atmosphere. Whether your interest lies in building aircraft or flying planes, you can describe your area of interest as aeronautics. The term aviation can also be used, although it typically doesn't include airships or dirigibles, like blimps and zeppelins. The word aeronautics literally means "sailing the air," from the Greek roots aero, "air," and nautikē, "navigation."
Vocabulary lists containing aeronautics
Flying High: Aviation Words
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Elements of the Universe: Aer, Aero ("Air")
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aer, aero
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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.
The university said it built on its "65-year heritage of education and research in space science, aeronautics and astronautics".
From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026
The increase was driven by a sharp increase in transport-equipment production, particularly in aviation and aeronautics, Insee said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026
At the same time, work accelerated across a wide range of priorities, including lunar exploration, Earth science, planetary defense, next-generation aeronautics, and technologies intended to support future missions to Mars.
From Science Daily • Jan. 25, 2026
Bertrand Vilmer, an aeronautics expert and consultant at Paris-based Icare Aeronautique, said Athens' largely analog-based systems "are robust, but ones for which there's no longer really any possible maintenance because they're old."
From Barron's • Jan. 13, 2026
The five women took classes in astronomy and aeronautics.
From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson
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.
