airspeed

noun

air·​speed ˈer-ˌspēd 

: the speed (as of an airplane) with relation to the air compare ground speed

Examples of airspeed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Once airborne, the fan is throttled up to provide forward thrust, generating airspeed over the wing to gain altitude. — New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026

In any case, the fastest airspeeds are not reached in flapping or gliding flight but in dives by birds of prey. — Literary Hub, 22 June 2026

The handicap is determined by a volunteer gathering data in the air and a committee that calculates the maximum airspeed of each craft. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2026

In aviation, mach represents the ratio of an aircraft’s true airspeed to the local speed of sound. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 6 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for airspeed

• accede
• agreed
• alkyd
• bindweed
• chickweed
• concede
• decreed
• duckweed
• exceed
• flaxseed
• impede
• indeed

Kids Definition

airspeed

noun

air·​speed -ˌspēd 

: the speed of an airplane according to measurements of the surrounding air rather than of the ground below