airplane
Americannoun
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a heavier-than-air aircraft kept aloft by the upward thrust exerted by the passing air on its fixed wings and driven by propellers, jet propulsion, etc.
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any similar heavier-than-air aircraft, as a glider or helicopter.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of airplane
1870–75, for an earlier sense; alteration of aeroplane, with air 1 replacing aero-
Compare meaning
How does airplane compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
An airplane is a flying vehicle that has fixed wings and engines or propellers that thrust it forward through the air. It's most common when you travel long distances to take an airplane. An airplane is the form of transportation you'll probably choose when you need to go from New York to California — it's the fastest and safest way to get there. Commercial airplanes are flown by a pilot and staffed by a crew. In Britain, it's still called an aeroplane, from the Greek aero-, "air," and French planer, "to soar," by way of the French aéroplane.
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.
Now retired, I’m happy that “peeling back the onion” happens when I’m making a salad, and “taking a 30,000-foot view” means I’m in an airplane heading off to enjoy a vacation.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026
“This is going to be an airplane that’s going to carry the president of the United States,” White said.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026
Profit margins in the commercial airplane and defense business improved year over year.
From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026
He adds it is a "straightforward solution and it was quite right that EasyJet's dispatcher and captain would not take-off until the airplane was within limits".
From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026
He squatted down right there on the carpet to look at the airplane close up.
From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
