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 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

Saudi Arabia and Egypt denied UAE overflight permissions.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 24, 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 aircraft could be launched from the ships or from nearby Gulf countries, if those partners provide overflight and basing rights.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 19, 2026

Frank Powers flew to an American air base at Peshawar, Pakistan, the jumping-off point for his twenty-eighth overflight.

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