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
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The air traffic controllers’ union has urged members to keep working during the shutdown, despite not receiving pay, but a rise in employee absences has been the unsurprising outcome as the stalemate drags on. Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025 Absences of air traffic controllers rose this week as the current shutdown stretched into its second week, Bryan Bedford, head of the Federal Aviation Administration, reiterated to staff on Friday. Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025 Because of the federal government shutdown, about 1,000 flights have been delayed this week behind a nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers disrupting operations across the nation. Chase Jordan october 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2025 Like some Transportation Security Administration workers and air traffic controllers have done in previous shutdowns, Keyes said employees could call in sick in greater numbers if the shutdown continues for weeks or more, potentially stretching those processing windows. Nathan Diller, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for air traffic controller

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of air traffic controller was in 1922

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Cite this Entry

“Air traffic controller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/air%20traffic%20controller. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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