airframe

noun

air·​frame ˈer-ˌfrām 

: 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

Now, Archer, working in close partnership with Anduril, has introduced the Halo, a commercial variant sharing the same core airframe and systems, sans the weaponry. — David Szondy august 04, New Atlas, 4 Aug. 2026

These include possible improvements to the airframe, engine integration, and aerodynamic design, suggesting that engineers are continuing to evaluate and enhance the aircraft through successive flight tests. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026

Because it was originally developed as an inexpensive decoy, the airframe relies heavily on commercial off-the-shelf components and a relatively simple internal design. — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

SpaceX engineers flew drones over the vehicle to inspect its heat shield, getting their best look yet at how more than 18,000 ceramic tiles insulating the ship’s stainless steel airframe weathered the trip to space and back. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for airframe

• acclaim
• aflame
• ballgame
• became
• declaim
• defame
• disclaim
• doorframe
• exclaim
• inflame
• mainframe
• nickname

Kids Definition

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