airspeed

noun

air·​speed ˈer-ˌspēd How to pronounce airspeed (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The company announced earlier this year that ULTRA Turbo completed a 60-hour mission-representative flight at 25,000 feet and 100 knots true airspeed. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 26 May 2026 The mental bandwidth required to bring your hand to a specific spot while managing airspeed and g-forces is high. David Szondy april 25, New Atlas, 25 Apr. 2026 But airplanes can get their airspeed by using sensors to measure the rate at which air is passing over the wings. Rhett Allain, Wired News, 17 Apr. 2026 Australian Transport Safety Bureau The pilot, unaware of what had happened, felt the aircraft suddenly pitch up, and noticed the airspeed rapidly decreasing. Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 12 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for airspeed

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of airspeed was in 1909

Cite this Entry

“Airspeed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airspeed. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

airspeed

noun
air·​speed -ˌspēd How to pronounce airspeed (audio)
: the speed of an airplane according to measurements of the surrounding air rather than of the ground below
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