Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

fly-by-wire

adjective \ ˈflī-bī-ˌwī(-ə)r \

Definition of fly-by-wire

: of, relating to, being, or utilizing a flight-control system in which controls are operated electrically rather than mechanically

See fly-by-wire defined for kids

First Known Use of fly-by-wire

1968

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Learn More about fly-by-wire

  1. See words that rhyme with fly-by-wire Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fly-by-wire

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up fly-by-wire? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

notorious

play

widely and unfavorably known

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

  2. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  3. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  4. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  5. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

fly-by-wire

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a-closeup-of-a-sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games