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aircraft vs. airplane

aircraft
[air-kraft, -krahft] / ˈɛərˌkræft, -ˌkrɑft /

noun

PLURAL

aircraft

  1. any machine supported for flight in the air by buoyancy or by the dynamic action of air on its surfaces, especially powered airplanes, gliders, and helicopters.

airplane
[air-pleyn] / ˈɛərˌpleɪn /

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.