flying

adjective fly·ing \ ˈflī-iŋ \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Examples: flying in a Sentence

Definition of flying

1 a : moving or capable of moving in the air

b : moving or made by moving rapidly

flying feet

a flying leap

c : very brief

2 : intended for ready movement or action

a flying squad car

3 : having stylized wings —used especially of livestock brand marks

4 : of or relating to the operation of aircraft

a flying club

5 : traversed or to be traversed (as in speed-record trials) after a running start

a flying kilometer

— with flying colors

: with complete or eminent success

See flying defined for English-language learners

See flying defined for kids

Examples of flying in a Sentence

a story about a flying car
a flying attempt at finishing the work

Recent Examples of flying from the Web

Before now, the concept of wireless insect-sized flying robots was science fiction.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Watch a Laser-Powered Robotic Fly Take Its First Flight," 16 May 2018
Attack from Mars fares better with the simple flying saucer toy).

— aurich lawson, Ars Technica, "The Pinball Arcade is losing its classic tables; grab them while you can," 8 May 2018
Issued this week, the patent may help Amazon grapple with how flying robots might interact with human bystanders and customers waiting on their doorsteps.

— hamza shaban, chicagotribune.com, "Amazon patents delivery drones that can react to people screaming and flailing," 23 Mar. 2018
Crowd Rushes Guard to Greet Airmen An exciting scene occurred at America's most historic flying field when Lieut.

— sandiegouniontribune.com, "May 4 1923: When it took 27 hours to fly nonstop from New York," 4 May 2018
Issued this week, the patent may help Amazon grapple with how flying robots might interact with human bystanders and customers waiting on their doorsteps.

— hamza shaban, chicagotribune.com, "Amazon patents delivery drones that can react to people screaming and flailing," 23 Mar. 2018
Issued this week, the patent may help Amazon grapple with how flying robots might interact with human bystanders and customers waiting on their doorsteps.

— hamza shaban, chicagotribune.com, "Amazon patents delivery drones that can react to people screaming and flailing," 23 Mar. 2018
Although hawks and other large species migrate during the day, most small birds migrate at night to avoid predators and enjoy better flying conditions.

— erik stokstad, Science | AAAS, "Migration forecasts could help prevent wind turbines and buildings from killing millions of birds," 5 Apr. 2018
Issued this week, the patent may help Amazon grapple with how flying robots might interact with human bystanders and customers waiting on their doorsteps.

— hamza shaban, chicagotribune.com, "Amazon patents delivery drones that can react to people screaming and flailing," 23 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flying.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of flying

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

flying Synonyms

flying

noun

Definition of flying

1 : travel by air

2 : the operation of an aircraft or spacecraft

See flying defined for English-language learners

Examples of flying in a Sentence

had never had the slightest fear of flying

Recent Examples of flying from the Web

Other airlines have had similar problems in flying and shipping animals.

— dana hedgpeth, Washington Post, "A dog was found dead on a Delta flight," 4 June 2018
Similar to train travel, don’t overfeed your pet before flying.

— rachel rabkin peachman, Condé Nast Traveler, "How to Travel Safely With Pets," 25 May 2018
At that time, lower jet fuel costs gave carriers room to add domestic flying and chop fares.

— mary schlangenstein, latimes.com, "Airlines offer cheap fares even as the price of jet fuel surges," 22 May 2018
The sequence when Superman takes Lois flying plays out from her perspective, allowing the camera to interpret the wonder of his power through her human eyes.

— sonia saraiya, HWD, "Why Margot Kidder Was the Definitive Lois Lane," 14 May 2018
Actual time of flying between Hazelhurst field and Rockwell field, 26 hours 50 minutes 38 2-5 seconds.

— sandiegouniontribune.com, "May 4 1923: When it took 27 hours to fly nonstop from New York," 4 May 2018
Debris went flying and some of it punched out a window, partially sucking out a passenger.

— jeff wise, Popular Mechanics, "What Actually Happens When a Plane Loses an Engine," 18 Apr. 2018
The pilot survived but was charged with reckless flying.

— jacques kelly, baltimoresun.com, "R. Bruce Campbell, real estate management firm owner, dies," 6 Apr. 2018
The goal that day was to fine-tune the flying and to coördinate the entrance and exit of the neon ladder with the light and sound cues.

— rachel aviv, The New Yorker, "“Angels in America” Rises Again," 5 Feb. 2018

First Known Use of flying

1548

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

flying Synonyms

Synonyms

flight;

Related Words

aviation;

aeronautics;

ballooning, gliding, hang gliding, paragliding, skydiving, soaring;

FLYING Defined for English Language Learners

flying

adjective

Definition of flying for English Language Learners

: moving or able to move in the air

flying

noun

Definition of flying for English Language Learners

: the activity of traveling in an aircraft

Learn More about flying

See words that rhyme with flying Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for flying Nglish: Translation of flying for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of flying for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flying

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flying

Definition of flying

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flying Synonyms

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flying

Definition of flying

Examples of flying in a Sentence

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flying Synonyms

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FLYING Defined for English Language Learners

flying

Definition of flying for English Language Learners

flying

Definition of flying for English Language Learners

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