airworthy

American

[air-wur-thee] / ˈɛərˌwɜr ði /

adjective

airworthier, airworthiest

(of an aircraft) meeting established standards for safe flight; equipped and maintained in condition to fly.

airworthy British

/ ˈɛəˌwɜːðɪ /

adjective

(of an aircraft) safe to fly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

airworthiness noun
unairworthy adjective

Etymology

Origin of airworthy

First recorded in 1820–30; air ¹ + -worthy

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.

When the aircraft is restored, it will be one of three airworthy Lancasters in the world.

From BBC • Nov. 9, 2025

The total number of registered airworthy aircraft has tripled since the 1980s, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2025

Several travelers are suing Boeing for failing to ensure that the airplane was airworthy.

From Slate • Feb. 6, 2024

“They have strong oversight and do everything they can to ensure that the aircraft is airworthy prior to departure.”

From Seattle Times • Jan. 22, 2024

The motor-car provides an enjoyable means of travelling from place to place; but in the aeroplane, once it is airworthy, reliable, and comfortable, the tourist has a vehicle which is distinctly more pleasurable and exhilarating.

From Learning to Fly A Practical Manual for Beginners by Grahame-White, Claude

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