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
Derived Forms
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.
With his photo entitled 'The Vikings are coming', Yarrow snubbed the tradition of shooting players on airplane steps.
From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026
I’m interested in old movie palaces, movie and TV show locations, historic homes and buildings, World War II-related sites and airplane museums.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026
The Birmingham, UK-headquartered company develops airplane technology and said in a statement Sunday that it is "working around the clock to mitigate the risk of a leak."
From Barron's • May 24, 2026
Satellite operator Iridium Communications agreed to take full control of a company that tracks airplane movements, betting it can grow the air data provider into a bigger business.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
They stood up, and she adjusted his body in a position called warrior pose, using her foot to bend his front knee more and her hand to help straighten his arms out like an airplane.
From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste
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.
