aviation

[ey-vee-ey-shuh n, av-ee-]

See more synonyms for aviation on Thesaurus.com

noun

the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft.
military aircraft.

Origin of aviation

From French, dating back to 1865–70; see origin at avi-, -ation

Related formsa·vi·at·ic

[ey-vee-at-ik, av-ee-] /ˌeɪ viˈæt ɪk, ˌæv i-/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for aviation

aeronautics, navigation, flight, aerodynamics, piloting

Examples from the Web for aviation

Contemporary Examples of aviation

Aviation experts across the world experienced severe jaw dropping at this news.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501
Clive Irving
January 6, 2015
The accident rate in Asia has marred what was in 2014 a banner year for aviation safety.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501
Clive Irving
January 6, 2015
This was very blunt and surprising to hear from any official in charge of an aviation disaster.
Did Bad Weather Bring Down AirAsia 8501?
Clive Irving
December 29, 2014
Still little known outside the world of aviation, within it he is revered.
The Sexy Dream of the 747
Clive Irving
October 26, 2014
The Long Range Strike Bomber may be the most secretive Pentagon aviation program in decades.
How the Pentagon Strangles Its Most Advanced Stealth Warplanes
Bill Sweetman
October 13, 2014

Historical Examples of aviation

This proposition is one of keen interest in connection with aviation.
Flying Machines
W.J. Jackman and Thos. H. Russell
Work upon the aviation camp at East Harniss had actually begun.
Shavings
Joseph C. Lincoln
Can't you take me to the aviation place sometime, Uncle Jed?
Shavings
Joseph C. Lincoln
Only in his field of aviation medicine did he feel competent, secure.
Warning from the Stars
Ron Cocking
In the evening we were invited to the aviation camp in the suburbs of Paris.
A Journey Through France in War Time
Joseph G. Butler, Jr.

British Dictionary definitions for aviation

aviation

noun

1. the art or science of flying aircraft
2. the design, production, and maintenance of aircraft
US military aircraft collectively

Word Origin for aviation

C19: from French, from Latin avis bird

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

Word Origin and History for aviation

1866, from French aviation, noun of action from stem of Latin avis "bird" (see aviary). Coined 1863 by French aviation pioneer Guillaume Joseph Gabriel de La Landelle (1812-1886) in "Aviation ou Navigation aérienne."