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Synonyms

aviation

American  
[ey-vee-ey-shuhn, av-ee-] / ˌeɪ viˈeɪ ʃən, ˌæv i- /

noun

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

  2. military aircraft.


aviation British  
/ ˌeɪvɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

    1. the art or science of flying aircraft

    2. the design, production, and maintenance of aircraft

  1. military aircraft collectively

"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

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Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of aviation

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

Explanation

If it has to do with flying or operating a plane, it has to do with aviation. If someone tells you that he's in aviation school, that means he is learning how to fly a plane. Aviation comes from the Latin avis meaning "bird," an appropriate translation given that aviation deals with travel by air, specifically in a plane. The aviation industry is the business sector dedicated to manufacturing and operating all types of aircraft. Air traffic controllers, when they are awake, are concerned with aviation safety.

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