overflight

American

[oh-ver-flahyt] / ˈoʊ vərˌflaɪt /

noun

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

Overflights of foreign aircraft are closely monitored.

overflight British

/ ˈəʊvəˌflaɪt /

noun

the flight of an aircraft over a specific area or territory

"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

Etymology

Origin of overflight

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

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.

See Examples For:

overflight

It is also a crucial provider of basing and overflight rights to the U.S. military.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026

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

The Pentagon chief said the move was also aimed at ensuring US "access, basing and overflight are clearly delineated and assured" after some European imposed restrictions on US forces during the Iran war.

From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026

Saudi Arabia and Egypt denied UAE overflight permissions.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 24, 2026

President Kennedy had approved an overflight of Cuba.

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

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023