airplane

[air-pleyn]

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.

airplane

/ ˈɛəˌpleɪn /

noun

1. Also called: aeroplane. a heavier-than-air powered flying vehicle with fixed wings

Other Word Forms

• proairplane adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of airplane¹

1870–75, for an earlier sense; alteration of aeroplane, with air ¹ replacing aero-

Example Sentences

One group has organized an airplane banner to fly over the stadium before the game, with a similar message directed at the beleaguered Bruins athletic director.

From Los Angeles Times

Indy stands about two feet tall, so the camera often stays at that height too, gliding close to the floor where the view from under the bed looks as big as an airplane hangar.

From Los Angeles Times

"Master it, respect it and it was a beautiful airplane to fly," he says.

From BBC

Phones that are switched off or in airplane mode will not get the alert.

From BBC

However, S&P’s report acknowledged that satellite data showed a much more modest reduction of 4%, contradicting the company’s own data, which was collected by airplane.

From Salon

Related Words

• aircraft 
• airliner 
• cab 
• jet 
• plane 
• ship