aviation
Americannoun
-
the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft.
-
military aircraft.
noun
-
-
the art or science of flying aircraft
-
the design, production, and maintenance of aircraft
-
-
military aircraft collectively
Other Word Forms
- aviatic adjective
Etymology
Origin of aviation
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.
Vocabulary lists containing aviation
Flying High: Aviation Words
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Cay
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
November Words
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Civil aviation authority chief Aziz said that "only on two or three occasions maximum" a commercial plane delayed a landing due to Israeli military action.
From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026
More than 120 years after the Wright brothers first took flight, America continues to stay at the forefront of aviation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026
Walsh said India's aviation sector had been "fascinating to watch in recent years", pointing to strong growth and improving connectivity.
From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026
Journalists who cover aviation, defense and foreign policy were drawing that exact conclusion at the same time as Reddit users.
From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026
Navigating using instruments without being able to see the ground was known in the early days of aviation as “blind flying.”
From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
