air traffic controller

noun

: a person who is responsible for remotely monitoring and directing the movements of aircraft as part of a system of air traffic control

Examples of air traffic controller in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So the head golf pro there needs to not only know the game and its rules, but also must have the unerring instincts of an excellent cruise director combined with an air traffic controller. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026

During last year’s shutdown, some TSA agents and air traffic controllers protested outside the airport during an ongoing stretch of unpaid work. —David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026

Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy Running socks are like air traffic controllers—taken for granted until something bad happens. —Scott Douglas, Outside, 3 Feb. 2026

Thousands of Federal Aviation Administration workers have been furloughed and nearly 14,000 air traffic controllers will work without pay as the partial government shutdown drags into its third day -- and now GOP hard-liners are threatening to derail a potential vote to reopen the government. —Justin Gomez, ABC News, 2 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for air traffic controller

• ambipolar
• areolar
• bronchiolar
• circumpolar
• equimolar
• monopolar
• multipolar
• nucleolar
• unipolar
• vacuolar
• arteriolar
• microcontroller