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 fly-by-wire technology that made the A320 revolutionary in its time now underscores the risks of software dependency in modern aviation. —Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025

The ethanol solution The aviation industry has an urgent problem. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Nov. 2025

But if current booking trends hold, private aviation could close 2025 with the most active holiday travel period in the industry’s history. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2025

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum now features a permanent exhibit recognizing his contribution to commercial aviation—a legacy most travelers have never heard of. —Ron Stodghill, Miami Herald, 25 Nov. 2025

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