traffic pattern

American  

noun

1. Aeronautics. a system of courses about an airfield that aircraft are assigned to fly when taking off, landing, or preparing to land.

2. any systematic movement of people or vehicles.

   The kitchen was designed to accommodate the family's traffic pattern.

---

traffic pattern British  

noun

1. a pattern of permitted lanes in the air around an airport to which an aircraft is restricted

---

Example Sentences

An increase in military flights through the Yucca Valley Airport’s traffic pattern would raise public safety and noise concerns, wrote board director Tim Lewis.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 17, 2025

With the additional span, drivers will encounter a new traffic pattern where motorists will split into local and through lanes.

From Washington Post • Oct. 9, 2021

It is a strong test of golf, lacking only a reasonable traffic pattern to host big events.

From Washington Times • Dec. 31, 2019

They also will continue the up-and-over nighttime traffic pattern along eastbound Business I-40 at Peters Creek Parkway, as needed for preliminary work on the Business 40 Improvement Project.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 13, 2017

The captain tells Klotz to ask for another traffic pattern.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell