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

Derived Forms

• air-traffic controller
  noun

Etymology

Origin of air-traffic control

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

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

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 initial chaos in the first hours of the latest conflict was captured on airwaves transmitted from Kuwait’s air-traffic control tower.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

Parsons’ stock slid after losing a bid to update America’s air-traffic control system.

From Barron's • Dec. 5, 2025

He still sees Parsons benefiting from air-traffic control modernization.

From Barron's • Dec. 5, 2025