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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To get there, space agencies and air traffic controllers need two key types of information. Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 4 Jan. 2026 Delta Air Lines, for example, took a hit of $200 million due to long delays at major airports and historic flight cancellations at 40 of the country’s busiest airports, after unpaid air traffic controllers missed work, citing additional stress and the need to take on side jobs. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2026 The shutdown meant critical entities like Transportation Security Officers, air traffic controllers and Federal Aviation Administration employees worked weeks without pay. Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026 A week into the government shutdown, flight delays and cancellations started to climb as sick calls involving air traffic controllers left a number of airport towers and control facilities short or without enough staff to properly handle all flights. Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 29 Dec. 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 11 Jan. 2026.

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