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Synonyms

aircraft

American  
[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.

aircraft British  
/ ˈɛəˌkrɑːft /

noun

  1. any machine capable of flying by means of buoyancy or aerodynamic forces, such as a glider, helicopter, or aeroplane

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of aircraft

First recorded in 1840–50; air 1 + craft

Compare meaning

How does aircraft compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Explanation

A machine that can fly, held aloft in the air, is called an aircraft. Airplanes and helicopters are two types of aircraft. Some aircraft, such as helicopters, fly by using rotary wings — spinning blades that directly generate lift. Airplanes use engines to turn propellers or power gas turbines, providing the thrust needed to move air over their wings and create lift. Still other aircraft, including hot-air balloons, achieve lift through buoyancy, by using gases that are lighter than the surrounding air. Balloons and airships, including blimps and dirigibles, were actually the first vehicles referred to as aircraft, a term adapted from nautical terminology.

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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.

Before entering venture capital, Stevens worked in sales at Intel and as a technical staff member at Hughes Aircraft.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

Aircraft, missiles and drones are said to be a historically messy combination in the air.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Aircraft, submarines, weapons, missiles and drones can cost tens of billions of dollars and need multiple decades to develop before moving even a single unit.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 11, 2026

Aircraft and wind turbines might one day do something similar.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

Five dutiful Aircraft women First Class straightened their Air Force blue cardigans.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein

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.