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

The program arrives as aviation faces persistent demand for new pilots. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026

The conflict has led to soaring oil prices, which are viewed as a hurdle for the aviation industry. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026

The Hawker Hunter crash comes amid several recent aviation incidents that have prompted emergency responses. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Last month, the UAE’s telecom regulator granted Elon Musk’s Starlink a 10-year license, noting that this will support critical sectors including maritime and aviation transport, energy, logistics, and emergency response. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 23 Sep. 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

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

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