air-traffic control

American  

[air-traf-ik] / ˈɛərˌtræf ɪk /

noun

1. a government service that facilitates the safe and orderly movement of aircraft within and between airports by receiving and processing data from radar and devices that monitor local weather conditions and by maintaining radio contact with pilots.

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air-traffic control British  

noun

1. an organization that determines the altitude, speed, and direction at which planes fly in a given area, giving instructions to pilots by radio

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Other Word Forms

• air-traffic controller
  noun

Etymology

Origin of air-traffic control

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

air-traffic control

For years, air-traffic control for Newark’s tight, busy airspace was managed from an FAA facility on Long Island, N.Y.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

Then their pilot got a message from Venezuelan air-traffic control.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

ADS-B Out continually broadcasts an aircraft’s location, altitude, speed and identification number, giving air-traffic control better situational awareness.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026

The FAA said United’s expansion will stress the Chicago airport’s runway, terminal and air-traffic control systems.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 6, 2026

The Transportation Department is working to overhaul the air-traffic control system, seeking billions of dollars of additional funding to upgrade antiquated systems.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 24, 2026