airman

noun

air·​man ˈer-mən 

plural airmen

1

: a civilian or military pilot, aviator, or aviation technician

2

: an enlisted person in the air force: such as

a

: an enlisted person of one of the four ranks below senior airman

b

: an enlisted person ranking above an airman basic and below an airman first class

Synonyms of airman

• pilot
• aviator

Examples of airman in a Sentence

her father was an airman who was shot down in Vietnam

Recent Examples on the Web

The United States has more than 50,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines stationed throughout Japan, including on several bases in Okinawa, an island chain in the south. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

The airman, who was a legal gun owner, died from his injuries. — Mark Walker, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

As well, even recognition of the historic accomplishments of minority individuals, such as the Tuskegee airmen, would be removed. — Richard Davis, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

McPherson pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, 40 counts of serving as an airman without a certificate and other charges. — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing airman

• airman basic
• airman first class
• senior airman

Rhymes for airman

• chairman
• chairmen
• lehrman
• cochairman

Kids Definition

airman

noun

air·​man -mən 

1

: pilot entry 1 sense 3, aviator

2

a

: an enlisted person in the air force

b

: an enlisted person in the air force with a rank below that of sergeant

especially : one with the rank just below that of airman first class