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.

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aircraft British  

/ ˈɛəˌkrɑːft /

noun

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

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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:

• aircraft vs. airplane

Example Sentences

For the first time, the UK got involved, sending an RAF surveillance aircraft and a Royal Navy support ship to help the operation.

From BBC

The pair are collaborating on hybrid aircraft propulsion systems.

From Barron's

The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, which is sailing off the coast of Oman near the Persian Gulf, could serve as a base of operations for boardings.

From The Wall Street Journal

Footage posted on X appeared to show passengers leaving the aircraft and walking away from the wreckage on the shore of the Indian Ocean.

From BBC

"We brought our longest-range aircraft here and we're focusing on the area which other actors cannot reach, approximately between 300 and 500 nautical miles from the Canaries," he said.

From Barron's

Related Words

• airliner
• balloon
• chopper
• helicopter
• jet