aeronautics

1 of 2

noun

aero·​nau·​tics ˌer-ə-ˈnȯ-tiks 

-ˈnä-

plural in form but singular in construction

1

: a science dealing with the operation of aircraft

2

: the art or science of flight

aeronautical

ˌer-ə-ˈnȯ-ti-kəl 

-ˈnä-

adjective

or less commonly aeronautic

ˌer-ə-ˈnȯ-tik 

-ˈnä-

aeronautically

ˌer-ə-ˈnȯ-ti-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈnä-

adverb

aeronautical

2 of 2

adjective

aero·​nau·​ti·​cal ˌer-ə-ˈnȯ-ti-kəl  -ˈnä- 

variants or aeronautic

ˌer-ə-ˈnȯ-tik 

-ˈnä-

: of or relating to aeronautics

aeronautically

ˌer-ə-ˈnȯ-ti-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈnä-

adverb

Word History

Etymology

Noun

aeronautic "of or relating to the art or science of flight" (borrowed from New Latin aëronauticus, from Greek aero- aero- + nautikós "of ships, of seafaring") + -ics — more at nautical

Adjective

aeronautical expansion of aeronautic after nautical; aeronautic borrowed from New Latin aëronauticus, from Greek aero- aero- + nautikós "of ships, of seafaring"

First Known Use

Noun

1798, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1754, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for aeronautics

• astronautics
• probiotics
• semiotics
• antibiotics
• antipsychotics
• epizootics
• xenobiotics
• aquatics
• exotics
• hypnotics
• narcotics
• neurotics

Kids Definition

aeronautics

noun

aero·​nau·​tics ˌar-ə-ˈnȯt-iks 

ˌer-

1

: a science dealing with the operation of aircraft

2

: the art or science of flight

aeronautical

-ˈnȯt-i-kəl 

adjective