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Synonyms

test flight

American  

noun

  1. a flight made to observe the performance characteristics of a new aircraft or spacecraft.


Etymology

Origin of test flight

First recorded in 1910–15

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.

Another is Anduril, a US defence technology company which carried out its first test flight of a fighter jet without a pilot in February.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

The third-generation Starship is designed for lunar and Martian missions, with its 12th test flight anticipated in late May.

From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026

This mission is a test flight designed to inform future treks, such as Artemis IV, a moon landing currently slated for 2028.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026

SpaceX delayed the next test flight of its massive Starship rocket, pushing off the highly anticipated mission by at least another month.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

“A test flight is all the inspection it needs,” Dad replied.

From "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos