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
- proairplane adjective
Etymology
Origin of airplane
1870–75, for an earlier sense; alteration of aeroplane, with air 1 replacing aero-
Compare meaning
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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.
On Thursday, the damaged airplane was towed away, and authorities said they were working to reopen the runway where the collision took place "no later than Friday morning".
From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026
Its technology, for example, could simulate how air flows around airplane wings, or predict where a metal part might crack under pressure, the the Journal reported.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026
For example, its technology might be able to simulate how air flows around an airplane wing, or predict exactly where a metal part will crack under pressure.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026
“It’s like building an airplane that only flies with full passengers a few times a year.”
From MarketWatch • Mar. 10, 2026
Anastasia had told him that there would be lots of books at nursery school, but he was afraid that there might not be one with airplane pictures.
From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry
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.
