overflight

American  

[oh-ver-flahyt] / ˈoʊ vərˌflaɪt /

noun

1. an air flight that passes over a specific area, country, or territory.

   Overflights of foreign aircraft are closely monitored.

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overflight British  

/ ˈəʊvəˌflaɪt /

noun

1. the flight of an aircraft over a specific area or territory

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Etymology

Origin of overflight

1590–1600 as pertaining to the flight of birds; 1955–60 for current sense; over- + flight ¹

Example Sentences

Saudi Arabia and Egypt denied UAE overflight permissions.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2026

Access to basing and overflight by U.S. forces in Saudi Arabia was reinstated after another phone call between the two leaders, according to U.S. and Saudi officials.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te postponed an official trip to Eswatini -- the island's only diplomatic ally -- last week after "Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar unexpectedly and without prior notice revoked the charter's overflight permits".

From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026

"There were irregularities concerning the overflight authorisations, which was regrettable, and we apologise for this unfortunate incident," Tuggar said on national TV.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

In 1000 a.d., at the time of our imaginary overflight, both societies were reeling from a succession of terrible droughts.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann