airplane

noun

air·​plane ˈer-ˌplān How to pronounce airplane (audio)
: a powered heavier-than-air aircraft with fixed wings from which it derives most of its lift

Illustration of airplane

Illustration of airplane
  • 1 weather radar
  • 2 cockpit
  • 3 jet engine
  • 4 engine pod
  • 5 pylon
  • 6 wing
  • 7 vertical stabilizer
  • 8 rudder
  • 9 10 tabs
  • 11 elevator
  • 12 horizontal stabilizer
  • 13 inboard flap
  • 14 inboard spoiler
  • 15 16 tabs
  • 17 aileron
  • 18 outboard flap
  • 19 outboard spoiler
  • 20 sound suppressor
  • 21 thrust reverser
  • 22 cabin air intake
  • 23 fuselage
  • 24 nose landing gear

Examples of airplane in a Sentence

my uncle learned how to fly an airplane while serving in the air force
Recent Examples on the Web Flipping an airplane upside down might just save your life someday. Sarah Schutte, National Review, 14 Apr. 2024 The proud mom shared an adorable snap of herself holding Rocky as his small feet hovered above stairs leading into tropical waters and a shot of his foot alongside an airplane window. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024 The sheriff's office later dispatched a Piper airplane, which eventually spotted Hiram's body. Stephen Smith, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2024 The mechanic, who works and lives out of an airplane hangar north of Los Angeles in Lancaster, California, has become a community celebrity in recent years thanks, in part, to the endorsements of high-profile gearheads like Jay Leno and Matt Farah. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2024 Initially, noise-canceling headphones did wonders in blocking out the airplane noise. Karthika Gupta, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2024 The search began, including an airplane operated by a Navy team stationed in Japan, and spanned more than 78,000 square nautical miles, according to the release. Irene Wright, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024 The company’s production stall has already worsened an airplane shortage that’s forcing customers worldwide to slash flights and raise prices. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2024 Esti also played in a playroom, while Miles took a selfie with his dad from their airplane seats. Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'airplane.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

alteration of aeroplane

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of airplane was in 1906

Dictionary Entries Near airplane

Cite this Entry

“Airplane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airplane. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

airplane

noun
air·​plane ˈa(ə)r-ˌplān How to pronounce airplane (audio)
ˈe(ə)r-
: a fixed-wing heavier-than-air aircraft that is driven by a propeller or by a forceful stream of gases backward and is supported by the reaction of the air against its wings

More from Merriam-Webster on airplane

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