airspeed

American  

[air-speed] / ˈɛərˌspid /

Or air speed

noun

1. the forward speed of an aircraft relative to the air through which it moves.

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airspeed British  

/ ˈɛəˌspiːd /

noun

1. the speed of an aircraft relative to the air in which it moves Compare groundspeed

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Etymology

Origin of airspeed

First recorded in 1905–10; air ¹ + speed

Compare meaning

How does airspeed compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• airspeed vs. groundspeed

Example Sentences

In the case of AF447, the French court found that Airbus had long known that a critical airspeed sensor on the A330 jet was prone to freezing, and had underestimated the risk that it posed.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

But this affected the aerodynamic characteristics of the airplane, causing the nose to pitch up at high angle of attack at high airspeed.

From Salon • Jan. 26, 2024

The crash led to changes in regulations for airspeed sensors and in how pilots are trained.

From Washington Times • Apr. 17, 2023

But still, he said, it’s crucial that pilots monitor their airspeed, and this crew missed multiple clues that they were moving too fast, not too slow.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 6, 2023

He knew airspeed was different from groundspeed but not by how much.

From "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen