skywriting

American  

[skahy-rahy-ting] / ˈskaɪˌraɪ tɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or technique of writing against the sky with chemically produced smoke released from a maneuvering airplane.

2. the words, letters, designs, etc., so traced.

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skywriting British  

/ ˈskaɪˌraɪtɪŋ /

noun

1. the forming of words in the sky by the release of smoke or vapour from an aircraft

2. the words so formed

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Other Word Forms

• skywriter
  noun

Etymology

Origin of skywriting

First recorded in 1920–25; sky + writing

Example Sentences

Nauman’s skywriting drifted for a moment in the late-summer breeze, then disappeared.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2025

These include skywriting — writing letters large in the air — and drawing words in shaving cream.

From New York Times • Mar. 17, 2023

What would Whitney Houston, or Mariah Carey, or Mary J. Blige, or Beyoncé have done with their voices were it not for all of Franklin’s impossible skywriting?

From Washington Post • Aug. 16, 2018

That's a problem for the 35-year-old because his small skywriting businesses only really works in the air, and when Mr Trump's in town a 10-mile no-fly zone comes with him.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2017

“The kid’s about as gifted as a caterpillar. He brings home a B and it sets off six days of skywriting and fireworks.”

From "Ungifted" by Gordon Korman