aeronautics
Americannoun
noun
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The design, construction and operation of aircraft.
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The scientific study of flight through the atmosphere.
Etymology
Origin of aeronautics
1820–25; < New Latin aeronautica or French aéronautique; see aero-, nautical, -ics
Explanation
If you have a passion for airplanes and other aircraft, you might be destined for a career in aeronautics, which is the study and design of flying machines within the atmosphere. Whether your interest lies in building aircraft or flying planes, you can describe your area of interest as aeronautics. The term aviation can also be used, although it typically doesn't include airships or dirigibles, like blimps and zeppelins. The word aeronautics literally means "sailing the air," from the Greek roots aero, "air," and nautikē, "navigation."
Vocabulary lists containing aeronautics
Flying High: Aviation Words
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Elements of the Universe: Aer, Aero ("Air")
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aer, aero
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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.
Meanwhile, the firm believes Firefly Aerospace is among the top commercial space companies and that its exposure to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s, or NASA, lunar base plans could yield long-term growth.
From Barron's • Jun. 15, 2026
First, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration defended the program through William Readdy, its associate administrator for spaceflight, accompanied by a retired admiral.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026
During the era of deregulation, I was on the staff of the Civil Aeronautics Board, which regulated airline routes and prices until 1978.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026
The company has built a large business selling Starlink to consumers, and often works for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and U.S. national-security agencies.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
In the spring of 1958, Congress and the Eisenhower Administration set up the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in an attempt to put some order into the space program.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
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.
