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

Federal Aviation Administration officials believe the incident may have resulted in what they call a loss of standard separation, an air-traffic control protocol to keep aircraft a safe distance apart, these people said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

All airlines have dealt with difficulties related to air-traffic control and other strains that have affected operations in recent years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 26, 2026

Adams kindled a professional interest in tech in 2001 after a computer scientist who designed algorithms for air-traffic control invited him to visit MIT’s Media Lab.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 2026

As Spirit Flight 1833 from Detroit approached Dallas Fort Worth International Airport after midnight, its pilot asked air-traffic control if any other Spirit flights were coming in.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 2, 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