airman

noun

air·​man ˈer-mən 

plural airmen

1

: a civilian or military pilot, aviator, or aviation technician

2

: an enlisted person in the air force: such as

a

: an enlisted person of one of the four ranks below senior airman

b

: an enlisted person ranking above an airman basic and below an airman first class

Synonyms of airman

• pilot
• aviator

Examples of airman in a Sentence

her father was an airman who was shot down in Vietnam

Recent Examples on the Web

The Tennessee National Guard said about 170 soldiers and airmen were assisting with recovery efforts, including helping more than 200 people stranded in vehicles and homes and providing rides to nearly 300 emergency and health care workers. —Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026

The Tennessee National Guard said about 170 soldiers and airmen were aiding with storm recovery. —Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026

Federal aviation records show a notice to airmen, known as a NOTAM, warned pilots of a tight rope obstruction in the area during the time of the crash. —Corina Vanek, AZCentral.com, 23 Jan. 2026

There is also the balance of ensuring soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen’s well-being is kept a priority as well. —Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 19 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing airman

• airman basic
• airman first class
• senior airman

Rhymes for airman

• chairman
• chairmen
• lehrman
• cochairman

Kids Definition

airman

noun

air·​man -mən 

1

: pilot entry 1 sense 3, aviator

2

a

: an enlisted person in the air force

b

: an enlisted person in the air force with a rank below that of sergeant

especially : one with the rank just below that of airman first class