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

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

Examples of aviation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Since June, Lee’s government has moved to discourage activist groups in the South from carrying out their leaflet campaigns including indicating a possible ban on any attempts via laws on aviation and public safety. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 5 Aug. 2025

Rush, a former test flight engineer for fighter jets, founded the company in 2009 after years of experience in aerospace and aviation. —Patrick Whittle, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025

Our marine and aviation editor, Michael Verdon, discovered this firsthand. —John Vorwald, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2025

The burgeoning space industry and the technologies society increasingly relies on – electric grids, aviation and telecommunications – are all vulnerable to the same threat: space weather. —Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, Space.com, 3 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Latin avis

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing aviation

• general aviation

Rhymes for aviation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

aviation

noun

avi·​a·​tion ˌā-vē-ˈā-shən 

ˌav-ē-

: the operation of aircraft (as airplanes or helicopters) that are heavier than air