: the speed (as of an airplane) with relation to the air compare ground speed
Examples of airspeed in a Sentence
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In any case, the fastest airspeeds are not reached in flapping or gliding flight but in dives by birds of prey.
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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
Corrections were made after the first call out, the plane was on speed, but moments later, the airspeed slowed, according to the report.
—Sam Sweeney, ABC News, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for airspeed
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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
Corrections were made after the first call out, the plane was on speed, but moments later, the airspeed slowed, according to the report.
—Sam Sweeney, ABC News, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for airspeed
Cite this Entry
“Airspeed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airspeed. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
airspeed
noun
air·speed
-ˌspēd 
: the speed of an airplane according to measurements of the surrounding air rather than of the ground below
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