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

At an aviation industry conference in May, administrator Bryan Bedford said the FAA needs to do more than just replace aging equipment. — Joel Rose, NPR, 1 July 2026

The energy supply needed for air conditioning generates about 4% of global greenhouse gases emissions, which is about twice as much as the entire aviation industry, according to a 2022 study. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 2 July 2026

Helicopter operations introduce concerns about aircraft noise, flight paths, frequency of use and whether the city should modify its zoning code to accommodate private aviation facilities tied to luxury developments. — Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026

Last Friday afternoon, a light aircraft belonging to a local aviation school flew into the side of Beijing’s tallest building, the 109-storey Citic Tower, killing the pilot and injuring at least 13 people. — Rebecca Messina, TheWeek, 1 July 2026

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

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

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