overflight

American  

[oh-ver-flahyt] / ˈoʊ vərˌflaɪt /

noun

1. an air flight that passes over a specific area, country, or territory.

   Overflights of foreign aircraft are closely monitored.

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overflight British  

/ ˈəʊvəˌflaɪt /

noun

1. the flight of an aircraft over a specific area or territory

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Etymology

Origin of overflight

1590–1600 as pertaining to the flight of birds; 1955–60 for current sense; over- + flight ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

overflight

The communique featured previously unused language targeting "freedom of navigation in and overflight above straits" while separately calling for "unimpeded" passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026

Saudi Arabia and Egypt denied UAE overflight permissions.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 24, 2026

Those various African nations withdrew overflight permission following "intense pressure" from Beijing, one of Lai's closest advisers said at the time, forcing cancellation of the initially scheduled April 22-26 trip.

From Barron's ● May 2, 2026

The U.S. secured exclusive military access, basing and overflight rights—the importance of which were proved by the World War II Pacific Island-hopping campaign and remain critical today.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 25, 2026

President Kennedy had approved an overflight of Cuba.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin