air traffic control

noun

: the process or system by which the movements of aircraft are monitored and directed by ground personnel communicating with pilots by radio

improving the technology used for air traffic control

also : the personnel who operate an air traffic control system

Pilots would still have to file flight plans, which could be modified by air traffic control if they posed any safety hazards.

—David R. Hinson

Examples of air traffic control in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to museums and university buildings, Pei’s oeuvre includes chapels, public plazas and air traffic control towers. — News Desk, Artforum, 23 June 2026

An audio recording reviewed by Fox News Digital captured the pilot alerting air traffic control about the escalating situation involving the unruly passenger. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026

The crew coordinated with air traffic control and performed a go-around, which involves aborting a landing attempt and climbing away from the runway, to avoid an American Airlines plane that was departing from an intersecting runway, The Guardian reported. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026

The crew of Delta flight 2351 coordinated with air traffic control to perform the go-around, an airline spokesperson said. — ABC News, 21 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for air traffic control

• amphibole
• asystole
• buttonhole
• casserole
• centriole
• decontrol
• glycerol
• metropole
• monopole
• multipole
• omeprazole
• oriole