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 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 draft communique inserts 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

According to records reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, three African nations—Madagascar, Mauritius and the Seychelles—rescinded overflight permits they had previously approved for Lai’s chartered flight.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

Saudi Arabia and Egypt denied UAE overflight permissions.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 24, 2026

By the time of our overflight, half or more of what once had been the flourishing land of the Maya was abandoned.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

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