aviation
noun
avi·a·tion
ˌā-vē-ˈā-shən 
ˌa-
often attributive
1
: the operation of aircraft
a pioneer in the early days of aviation
a career in aviation
sometimes, specifically
: the operation of heavier-than-air aircraft
Fascinated from that moment on by aviation, [John] Montgomery pursued pioneering experiments in the design of a heavier-than-air glider … —
Kevin Starr
Kevin Starr 2
: military airplanes
carrier-based aviation
3
: airplane manufacture, development, and design
By that time, [Theodore P.] Wright already had established himself as a leading figure in American aviation.—Michael Rothschild
Michael RothschildExamples of aviation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As with almost every quirk in aviation, the pilot and flight attendant duty clock is there to keep the skies safer.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 May 2025
Questions are again being raised about the conduct of an Army helicopter pilot whose Black Hawk collided with a passenger jet over Washington, D.C., in January — killing 67 people in the worst aviation incident in the country in decades.
—Adam Carlson, People.com, 1 May 2025
Indian carriers will pay a price, but passengers may not see airfares go up by much because of Pakistan’s airspace closure, said John Grant, chief analyst at the aviation intelligence company OAG.
—Monica Pitrelli, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2025
While challenges remain, including regulatory approvals and ensuring passenger comfort with the new design, this partnership exemplifies the aviation industry’s dedication to innovation and sustainability.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aviation
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Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 May 2025
Questions are again being raised about the conduct of an Army helicopter pilot whose Black Hawk collided with a passenger jet over Washington, D.C., in January — killing 67 people in the worst aviation incident in the country in decades.
—Adam Carlson, People.com, 1 May 2025
Indian carriers will pay a price, but passengers may not see airfares go up by much because of Pakistan’s airspace closure, said John Grant, chief analyst at the aviation intelligence company OAG.
—Monica Pitrelli, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2025
While challenges remain, including regulatory approvals and ensuring passenger comfort with the new design, this partnership exemplifies the aviation industry’s dedication to innovation and sustainability.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aviation
Cite this Entry
“Aviation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aviation. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aviation
noun
avi·a·tion
ˌā-vē-ˈā-shən
ˌav-ē-
: the operation of aircraft (as airplanes or helicopters) that are heavier than air
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