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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

overflight

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

Access to basing and overflight by U.S. forces in Saudi Arabia was reinstated after another phone call between the two leaders, according to U.S. and Saudi officials.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026

Taiwan announced Tuesday that Lai was postponing his trip to Eswatini -- the island's only diplomatic ally in Africa -- after "Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar unexpectedly and without prior notice revoked the charter's overflight permits."

From Barron's ● Apr. 23, 2026

The last overflight before the Paris summit was assigned to Francis Gary Powers.

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

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