aerospace

American  

[air-oh-speys] / ˈɛər oʊˌspeɪs /

noun

1. the atmosphere and the space beyond considered as a whole.

2. the industry concerned with the design and manufacture of aircraft, rockets, missiles, spacecraft, etc., that operate in aerospace.

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adjective

1. of or relating to aerospace or the aerospace industry.

aerospace British  

/ ˈɛərəˌspeɪs /

noun

1. the atmosphere and space beyond

2. (modifier) of or relating to rockets, missiles, space vehicles, etc, that fly or operate in aerospace

   the aerospace industry

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aerospace Scientific  

/ âr′ō-spās′ /

1. Relating to the Earth's atmosphere and the space beyond.

2. Relating to the science and technology of flight and space travel.

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Etymology

Origin of aerospace

First recorded in 1955–60; aero- + space

Explanation

The science of airplanes and rockets is known as aerospace. If you're interested in launching rockets or building jets, you should consider a career in aerospace. The term aerospace was coined in the U.S. during the mid-20th century, from aeronautics, the study of planes and other flying machines, and spaceflight. The aerospace industry includes a lot of flying craft, including commercial airplanes, unpowered gliders, military jets, missiles, and space shuttles. Aerospace engineers design these vehicles and develop ways to make them safer and more efficient, as well as testing and maintaining them.

Example Sentences

For his contributions to the New Zealand aerospace industry, Beck was knighted in 2024.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

That led some aerospace experts to wonder whether separate fighter jets might be better -- although that would likely add costs, a potential problem for France's already strained government budget.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

Last month Aeralis, a British aerospace company that was developing a replacement for the famous Red Arrows fighter jet, went into administration.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

Still, that decision would be a political one, and Germany has worked with Italy and the U.K. on aerospace projects in the past.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

As it climbed above the atmosphere and the air ran out, the aerospace plane would have to switch to rocket engines.

From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins