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

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

Many are built around simpler airframes, compact sensors, and reusable or comparatively inexpensive components. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026

Archer Aviation Both versions will share the same airframe, series-electric hybrid powertrain and core systems, with configurable payload depending on requirements of each mission. — Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Building a paper airplane can be as demanding as building the airframe of a real aircraft. — New Atlas, 3 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