airframe

air·frame | \ ˈer-ˌfrām

How to pronounce airframe (audio)

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Definition of airframe

: the structure of an aircraft, rocket vehicle, or missile without the power plant also : aircraft

Examples of airframe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web If these tests go well, Thomas says the next big step will be to integrate all the engine components and perform a high-speed flight demonstration with a custom airframe. — Daniel Oberhaus, Ars Technica, "The rocket motor of the future “breathes” air like a jet engine," 27 June 2020 If these tests go well, Thomas says the next big step will be to integrate all the engine components and perform a high-speed flight demonstration with a custom airframe. — Daniel Oberhaus, Wired, "The Rocket Motor of the Future Breathes Air Like a Jet Engine," 26 June 2020 Spare parts are hard to find and airframes are fatigued, in large part to the bomber’s role as a close air support aircraft over Afghanistan. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The Air Force Could Cut Loose Tons of Older Planes," 8 Feb. 2020 The next generation of Chinese aviation metamaterials could further increase stealth, improve communications, sensors and jamming, and even lighten airframe weight. — Popular Science, "China’s new stealth fighter uses powerful materials with geometry not found in nature," 22 Mar. 2018 Weapons and fuel must be stored within the airframe, increasing internal volume. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The Air Force’s Next Great Fighter Jet Could Cost $300 Million Apiece," 17 Dec. 2018 Debris left behind from manufacturing the airframes has slowed down delivery of the planes. — Sean Gallagher, Ars Technica, "737 Max fix slips to summer—and that’s just one of Boeing’s problems," 21 Jan. 2020 The service center will do maintenance on Gulfstream’s fleet of business jets from across the world and include crews to do airframe inspections, engine changes and interior refurbishments. — Dallas News, "Gulfstream plans to build a repair center at Fort Worth Alliance Airport with 50 new jobs," 20 Feb. 2020 Senior said in December that the business, which makes structural components for the jet’s airframe and engine, was up for sale. — Ben Dummett, WSJ, "Boeing 737 MAX Woes Undermine Suppliers’ Deal Making," 4 Feb. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'airframe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

7 Jul 2020

Cite this Entry

“Airframe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airframe. Accessed 16 Jul. 2020.

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