airplane mode

American

[air-pleyn mohd] / ˈɛər pleɪn ˌmoʊd /

noun

a setting on a phone or other mobile device that turns off Wi-Fi, cellular, and other wireless connections.

Etymology

Origin of airplane mode

From the now limited ban on signal transmissions from mobile devices during a plane flight

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“You can have your phone in sleep mode, airplane mode and you’re going to get a signal,” Kelley said.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 20, 2025

Metal music fans heading to the mosh pits of Download festival this weekend are being urged to put their wearable technology into airplane mode to avoid making accidental 999 calls.

From BBC • Jun. 13, 2025

The next time you get behind the wheel, minimize the distraction you will experience by putting your cell phone in airplane mode, entering navigation information and finishing your lunch before you start the engine.

From Scientific American • Jul. 28, 2023

Unfortunately, I had set the phone to airplane mode, so I couldn’t locate it.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 16, 2023

Britons can also avoid receiving the test alert on Sunday by turning off their phones or putting their phones in airplane mode for the duration of the test.

From New York Times • Apr. 22, 2023

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023