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
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.
An airplane flies in the air, and there are two ways to get the internet to connect to such a place: from above or below. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 25 July 2025 On Tuesday, July 22, an ultralight airplane piloted by 75-year-old Sergio Ravaglia crashed onto the pavement of Corda Molle in a hamlet in Azzano Mella, Brescia, before bursting into flames. Sam Gillette, People.com, 25 July 2025 Despite some efforts to revise it, 90 seconds remains the gold standard with both the U.S. government and airplane manufacturers world-wide. Diana Hubbell, Popular Science, 24 July 2025 Bonus content includes a behind-the-scenes look at the airplane and ocean stunts, deleted footage montage with optional commentary by director Christopher McQuarrie, the challenges of filming the technical and extremely dangerous stunts and an in-depth discussion with McQuarrie and Cruise. Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 22 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for airplane

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Airplane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airplane. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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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