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

The proliferation of problems with portable power banks has forced aviation authorities to act in recent months. —Barry Collins, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

At this time, Moore says, aviation was considered a daredevil sport, and successful pilots, especially in France, became celebrities. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 26 May 2026

The Marines selected the Neros Archer drone system partly because infantry units had already tested and operated it extensively, making the transition into aviation operations easier and faster. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 May 2026

Oliva served in Naval aviation, specializing in the maintenance and mission readiness of F/A-18 Super Hornets. —Daily News, 25 May 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