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

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

Examples of aviation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That demand continues to fuel private aviation’s long-term growth—and the economic slipstream allowing these companies to stretch their wings. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2026

One year later, here's a look back at the events following the deadliest aviation event in the city's history, and how Northeast Philadelphia is moving forward. —Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026

Ethridge, a Navy pilot with more than 20 years and 4,000 flight hours, was hired as the guard’s aviation operations officer to help refine safety standards, maintenance practices and operating procedures. —Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026

Federal frameworks already govern aviation safety, pharmaceutical approvals, and telecommunications—industries where state-by-state variation would create identical chaos. —James Richardson, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Latin avis

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing aviation

• general aviation

Rhymes for aviation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids 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