: 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
Dogfighting drills push both the airframe and the pilot to their physical limits, with G-forces that test human endurance.
—
Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Over time, if the aircraft stays under it, the airframe is going to hold up just fine.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025
The line integrates every stage of manufacturing—materials preparation, airframe and component production, testing, and final assembly—maximizing productivity and quality, according to the report.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
The result is an airframe resembling a flying spindle.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for airframe
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Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Over time, if the aircraft stays under it, the airframe is going to hold up just fine.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025
The line integrates every stage of manufacturing—materials preparation, airframe and component production, testing, and final assembly—maximizing productivity and quality, according to the report.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
The result is an airframe resembling a flying spindle.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for airframe
Cite this Entry
“Airframe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airframe. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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airframe
noun
air·frame
ˈa(ə)r-ˌfrām 
ˈe(ə)r-
: the structure of an aircraft, rocket vehicle, or missile without the engine and related parts
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