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 Whiteman Airport Coalition said in response that immediate closure would impact jobs, local businesses, aviation services and emergency response capabilities throughout the northeast San Fernando Valley. —Austin Turner, CBS News, 16 June 2026

Beyond commercial aviation The Greensboro plant could eventually support more than passenger aircraft production. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 June 2026

Gary worked in the aviation sector for several years and cofounded industry publication FlightTraining, as well as DiveTraining (a scuba magazine) and Restaurant Startup & Growth (a restaurant publication). —Jenna Thompson june 16, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2026

Fabric from the Wright Brothers' flight honoring the state's connection to the birth of aviation. —Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 16 June 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