spacecraft

noun

space·​craft ˈspās-ˌkraft How to pronounce spacecraft (audio)
: a vehicle or device designed for travel or operation outside the earth's atmosphere

Examples of spacecraft in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The ring of spacecraft observing and mapping Mars, Gladden tells me in an interview, should actually be expanded to set the stage for American spacefarers to begin their first odysseys across the ancient volcanos and disappeared oceans of the mysterious orange-red orb. — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025 At 320 feet tall, the spacecraft rivals SpaceX's 400-foot Starship in size. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 June 2025 Since then, an $800 million spacecraft specifically designed to fly near and touch an asteroid has been chilling in space. — ArsTechnica, 27 June 2025 View gallery - 8 images What will the orbital spacecraft of tomorrow look like? — David Szondy june 27, New Atlas, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for spacecraft

Word History

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spacecraft was in 1929

Rhymes for spacecraft

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Browse Nearby Words

space-charge effect
spacecraft
space curve
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Cite this Entry

“Spacecraft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spacecraft. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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Kids Definition

spacecraft

noun
space·​craft ˈspā-ˌskraft How to pronounce spacecraft (audio)
plural spacecraft
: a vehicle for travel beyond the earth's atmosphere

More from Merriam-Webster on spacecraft

Nglish: Translation of spacecraft for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spacecraft

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