airplane

noun

air·​plane ˈer-ˌplān 

: a powered heavier-than-air aircraft with fixed wings from which it derives most of its lift

Illustration of airplane

• 1 weather radar
• 2 cockpit
• 3 jet engine
• 4 engine pod
• 5 pylon
• 6 wing
• 7 vertical stabilizer
• 8 rudder
• 9 10 tabs
• 11 elevator
• 12 horizontal stabilizer
• 13 inboard flap
• 14 inboard spoiler
• 15 16 tabs
• 17 aileron
• 18 outboard flap
• 19 outboard spoiler
• 20 sound suppressor
• 21 thrust reverser
• 22 cabin air intake
• 23 fuselage
• 24 nose landing gear

Synonyms of airplane

• plane
• aeroplane
• airliner

Examples of airplane in a Sentence

my uncle learned how to fly an airplane while serving in the air force

Recent Examples on the Web

The SkyNook claimed first place in the passenger comfort category of the Crystal Cabin Award, which recognizes innovative airplane cabin products and concepts at the Hamburg expo. —Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026

Boeing’s commercial aircraft unit handed over 143 airplanes in the first quarter, up 10% from a year earlier. —Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026

The program gives guide dog puppies experience navigating a real, active airport environment, from slippery terminal floors to settling under an airplane seat. —Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026

This type of reactor is small enough to be moved via trailer, train or airplane and doesn’t require a connection to the statewide grid or special infrastructure. —Brandon Lingle, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of aeroplane

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing airplane

• airplane mode

Rhymes for airplane

• abstain
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign
• cetane

Kids Definition

airplane

noun

air·​plane ˈa(ə)r-ˌplān 

ˈe(ə)r-

: a fixed-wing heavier-than-air aircraft that is driven by a propeller or by a forceful stream of gases backward and is supported by the reaction of the air against its wings