free flight

American  

noun

1. unassisted or unconstrained flight, as the flight of a rocket or missile without guidance or after fuel exhaustion or motor cutoff.

---

free flight British  

noun

1. the flight of a rocket, missile, etc, when its engine has ceased to produce thrust

---

Etymology

Origin of free flight

First recorded in 1920–25

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

free flight

It’s an easy way to get some miles if you visit Starbucks, but it’s not a quick ticket to a free flight.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

The ‘thermals’ in the Owens Valley are to free flight what legendary waves like Mavericks and Jaws are to surfing: big, terrifying and, to a certain type of person, hopelessly addictive.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

The airline spokesperson said the flight had been held to allow customers extra time, and it had provided "free flight transfers to those affected".

From BBC ● Apr. 13, 2026

This is the first study relating to the behavior of blood in free flight.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 8, 2024

The point of a wind tunnel, of course, was to simulate as closely as possible the conditions that prevailed in free flight.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---