aircraft

[air-kraft, -krahft]

noun

plural

aircraft 

1. any machine supported for flight in the air by buoyancy or by the dynamic action of air on its surfaces, especially powered airplanes, gliders, and helicopters.

aircraft

/ ˈɛəˌkrɑːft /

noun

1. any machine capable of flying by means of buoyancy or aerodynamic forces, such as a glider, helicopter, or aeroplane

Word History and Origins

Origin of aircraft¹

First recorded in 1840–50; air ¹ + craft

Example Sentences

The team media officer, Promise Efoghe, said a replacement aircraft was sent to Luanda and the journey to Nigeria was safely completed.

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It is also home to a Navy base that hosts the world’s largest rotary-wing aircraft repair center, which services combat aircraft including Black Hawks.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Canadian and U.S. aircraft last year intercepted Chinese and Russian bombers in international airspace near Alaska, the first joint patrol between the two in the approaches to North America.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The aircraft took off from Polokwane in South Africa and made a scheduled refuelling stop in the Angolan capital Luanda before heading for southern Nigeria.

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Mr Banayee says he absorbed all kinds of myths, believing that the body of a martyr would not rot and that birds would warn Muslims of incoming bomber aircraft.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• airliner 
• balloon 
• chopper 
• helicopter 
• jet