aviation
Americannoun
-
the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft.
-
military aircraft.
noun
-
-
the art or science of flying aircraft
-
the design, production, and maintenance of aircraft
-
-
military aircraft collectively
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of aviation
From French, dating back to 1865–70; see origin at avi-, -ation
Explanation
If it has to do with flying or operating a plane, it has to do with aviation. If someone tells you that he's in aviation school, that means he is learning how to fly a plane. Aviation comes from the Latin avis meaning "bird," an appropriate translation given that aviation deals with travel by air, specifically in a plane. The aviation industry is the business sector dedicated to manufacturing and operating all types of aircraft. Air traffic controllers, when they are awake, are concerned with aviation safety.
Vocabulary lists containing aviation
Flying High: Aviation Words
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Cay
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
November Words
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
A Russian Pantsir missile-defense system, for instance, can engage no more than four targets simultaneously, said Valery Romanenko, a former Ukrainian air-defense officer and a researcher at Kyiv’s National Aviation University.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026
The $450-million, 200,000-square-foot addition will permanently house the Korean Air Aviation Gallery and the Kent Kresa Space Gallery.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2026
The Federal Aviation Administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2026
A further 160 ground services crew employed by Menzies Aviation will receive a 4.4% increase backdated to January, followed by a minimum pay increase of 5% from 1 July.
From BBC • Jun. 15, 2026
She perused Aviation Week, trying to connect the dots between the latest industry advance and the torrent of numbers flowing through her calculating machine.
From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly
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.
