aviator

noun

avi·​a·​tor ˈā-vē-ˌā-tər How to pronounce aviator (audio) ˈa- How to pronounce aviator (audio)
plural aviators
1
: the operator or pilot of an aircraft and especially an airplane
2
aviators plural : aviator glasses
The heat had begun to settle in, and as she hit the sidewalk, she slipped on her new sunglasses, a trendy pair of aviators.Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Examples of aviator in a Sentence

the solo flight from New York to Paris by the aviator Charles Lindbergh captured the imagination of people around the world
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The aviator disappeared on July 2, 1937 while attempting to become the first woman to fly across the globe. Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025 Running in parallel to the storylines of Piccard and Jones is the global race of the time where many prominent figures, from accomplished aviators to billionaire Richard Branson, were trying to become the first around-the-globe balloonists. Tomris Laffly, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025 Channeling a fresh-off-the-Vespa vibe, aviator frames were rife in Milan. Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025 The range of 70 vintage styles will include a leather aviator jacket, a yellow raincoat circa 1992, a denim jumpsuit and a stone Irish linen shirt. Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aviator

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of aviator was in 1868

Cite this Entry

“Aviator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aviator. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

aviator

noun
avi·​a·​tor ˈā-vē-ˌāt-ər How to pronounce aviator (audio) ˈav-ē- How to pronounce aviator (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on aviator

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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