airport

¹ American  

[air-pawrt, -pohrt] / ˈɛərˌpɔrt, -ˌpoʊrt /

noun

1. a tract of land or water with facilities for the landing, takeoff, shelter, supply, and repair of aircraft, especially one used for receiving or discharging passengers and cargo at regularly scheduled times.

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airport ² American  

[air-pawrt, -pohrt] / ˈɛərˌpɔrt, -ˌpoʊrt /

noun

Nautical.

1. a porthole designed to be opened to the outside air.

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airport British  

/ ˈɛəˌpɔːt /

noun

1. a landing and taking-off area for civil aircraft, usually with surfaced runways and aircraft maintenance and passenger facilities

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Etymology

Origin of airport¹

1915–20; air ¹ + port ¹, on the model of seaport

Origin of airport²

First recorded in 1780–90; air ¹ + port ⁴

Example Sentences

“In addition to serving as a public-use airport, Fresno’s geographical location, runway capabilities, and Instrument Landing Systems make it an optimal choice for a wide range of aircraft operations.”

From Los Angeles Times

When her suitcase did not arrive on the baggage carousel, Rosie and Tina, the Danish friend she had travelled with, say they informed staff at the airport and spoke to lost property.

From BBC

Shares in airlines fluctuated wildly following U.S. and Israeli air strikes against Iran at the end of February as airports shuttered and oil prices soared.

From The Wall Street Journal

A passenger at the airport told the BBC that travellers had been advised to move away from the glass windows and take shelter in more protected areas.

From BBC

It’s at this point that the border becomes decidedly gray, like the transit zones of international airports.

From Salon

Related Words

• airfield
• airstrip
• installation
• runway