air traffic control

noun

: the process or system by which the movements of aircraft are monitored and directed by ground personnel communicating with pilots by radio

improving the technology used for air traffic control

also : the personnel who operate an air traffic control system

Pilots would still have to file flight plans, which could be modified by air traffic control if they posed any safety hazards.

—David R. Hinson

Examples of air traffic control in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said the crew reported electrical difficulties as the aircraft approached the Boston area before the jet descended rapidly and air traffic control lost contact south of Nantucket. — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

But after Hutzler started working in air traffic control earlier this year, his job left him less time to fly. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

The air traffic control operators gave no reason for the earlier refusals. — Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026

The plane, the pilots and air traffic control The September 6 flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Miami was the third flight of the day for the plane and second for the pilots flying it. — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for air traffic control

• amphibole
• asystole
• buttonhole
• casserole
• centriole
• decontrol
• glycerol
• metropole
• monopole
• multipole
• omeprazole
• oriole