airplane

noun

air·​plane ˈer-ˌplān How to pronounce airplane (audio)
Synonyms of airplanenext
: 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
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Trade drab colors with 44 percent off floral prints, and bulky hoodies for something a little more lightweight to beat those nightly chills and airplane cabin temperatures—this one by Faherty is 25 percent off for a limited time. Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2026 Not every world-changing invention arrives with the fame of the light bulb or the airplane. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026 No airplane operating today can reach that speed. Monica Hunter-Hart, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 American Airlines is planning to install SpaceX’s Starlink Wi-Fi in hundreds of its airplanes, the airline announced today. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 26 May 2026 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 May. 2026.

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

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