aviation
noun
avi·a·tion
ˌā-vē-ˈā-shən 
ˌa-
often attributive
1
: the operation of aircraft
a pioneer in the early days of aviation
a career in aviation
sometimes, specifically
: the operation of heavier-than-air aircraft
Fascinated from that moment on by aviation, [John] Montgomery pursued pioneering experiments in the design of a heavier-than-air glider … —
Kevin Starr
Kevin Starr 2
: military airplanes
carrier-based aviation
3
: airplane manufacture, development, and design
By that time, [Theodore P.] Wright already had established himself as a leading figure in American aviation.—Michael Rothschild
Michael RothschildExamples of aviation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
During the first commercial flight, aviation pioneer Wally Funk became the oldest person to travel to space at age 82.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2024
As a child, Dwight's fascination with aviation led to odd jobs cleaning aircraft owned by wealthy flyers.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for aviation 
Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2024
As a child, Dwight's fascination with aviation led to odd jobs cleaning aircraft owned by wealthy flyers.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for aviation
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aviation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Aviation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aviation. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
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aviation
noun
avi·a·tion
ˌā-vē-ˈā-shən
ˌav-ē-
: the operation of aircraft (as airplanes or helicopters) that are heavier than air
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