aviation

noun

avi·​a·​tion ˌā-vē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce aviation (audio)
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
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For some creators, their aviation photography and online posts fall in the realm of hobby. Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2025 President Donald Trump is aiming to speed up commercial development of new-age aviation tech by reducing regulations administration says have hindered testing and production. Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 7 June 2025 Boeing, with its essential role in American aerospace dominance and global commercial aviation, represents the perfect storm of characteristics that make TACO trades profitable. Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025 What’s behind the air rage phenomenon Scholarly research has highlighted that the phenomenon arises from an interplay of stressors unique to aviation. Milad Haghani, CNN Money, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for aviation

Word History

Etymology

French, from Latin avis

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aviation was in 1865

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aviation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aviation. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

aviation

noun
avi·​a·​tion ˌā-vē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce aviation (audio)
ˌav-ē-
: the operation of aircraft (as airplanes or helicopters) that are heavier than air
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