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

Examples of fly-by-wire in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Honeywell fly-by-wire systems – a system that replaces mechanical flight control linkages with electronic signals – manage the radical aerodynamic changes that transition demands. Omar Kardoudi june 21, New Atlas, 21 June 2026 Commercial aviation has steadily added automation for decades, leading to today’s fly-by-wire systems in which computers interpret pilot inputs even during manual flight. Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 24 May 2026 Moreover, fly-by-wire systems adjust control surfaces in real time. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026 The model brings fly-by-wire controls, turbulence-reduction technology, and optional in-flight service capability with a flight attendant—features rare at this size—with even more advances rumored to be in the works. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2025 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

Word History

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fly-by-wire was in 1955

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Cite this Entry

“Fly-by-wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fly-by-wire. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

fly-by-wire

adjective
: controlled by electrical signals rather than mechanically

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