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 An event like this must not happen on an airplane that leaves our factory. Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2024 The modest size of this bag is airplane compliant, securing its spot as a convenient carry-on, and a simple trolley sleeve also makes this bag a great stackable option alongside a larger rolling suitcase. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2024 That first Super Bowl ring, a rare piece of history considering it was awarded to a select few for winning what eventually became one of the world’s marquee sporting events, went missing for years when Kramer lost it in an airplane bathroom. Jason Rossi, The Enquirer, 22 Apr. 2024 Parents Gift Terminally Ill Son Honeymoon, But Upset Bride By Then Including Themselves in Trip In the comments section, the original poster was met with praise from others who sided with her amid the couple's airplane ordeal. Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024 In other Boeing news: United Airlines blamed the airplane maker for its most recent losses. Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2024 The funniest moments involved physical humor: Glen Powell shooting his tongue out like a lizard; Sydney Sweeney contorting herself like Catherine Zeta-Jones in Entrapment while stealing his airplane cookie; a beefcake surfer swimming with the zeal of an unhinged dolphin. Erin Carlson, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024 Their Milwaukee friends can see their work this month without buying an airplane ticket, thanks to the Met's Live in HD program of cinema transmissions. Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2024 Flipping an airplane upside down might just save your life someday. Sarah Schutte, National Review, 14 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 3 May. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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