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

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

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