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

Passengers travelling between Luton Airport Parkway and London St Pancras in either direction may use their ticket at no extra cost on Thameslink services.

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2026

A person infected with measles flew on a transpacific flight and passed through Los Angeles International Airport last week, potentially exposing other passengers to the highly contagious disease.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2026

The American Association of Airport Executives should educate the media and members of Congress on the vital role of landing fees as an airport revenue source.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026

The Buochs Airport at the foot of the mountain can also take private jets and helicopters.

From Barron's • Jun. 16, 2026

They’d already closed down most operations at Louis Armstrong International Airport.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

Related Words

• airfield
• airstrip
• installation
• runway