flying

adjective fly·ing \ ˈflī-iŋ \

|Updated on: 18 Aug 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

In December 2017, The New York Times published an account involving U.S. Navy fighter pilots and their encounter with unidentified flying objects.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "70 Years and Counting, the UFO Phenomenon Is as Mysterious As Ever," 2 July 2018
These relatively large flying insects are also found widely across the state.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Top 5 Wisconsin wildlife risks to humans? Maybe not what you think.," 13 June 2018
Before mowing, pick up stones, toys, and debris to prevent flying objects.

— frank witsil, Detroit Free Press, "Toddler injured in horrific lawn mower accident northeast of metro Detroit," 9 June 2018
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

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

Airlines say service dogs for psychological or physical disabilities would still qualify but that such animals would be trained to handle the stress of flying.

— alison sider, WSJ, "Airlines Urge Clampdown on Flying With Pets," 10 July 2018
Airline trade groups, however, have opposed a fee increase, saying a hike will discourage people from flying and is not needed because air carriers are already investing heavily in terminal upgrades.

— hugo martin, latimes.com, "U.S. airports near new passenger record as demand for air travel continues to grow," 6 July 2018
In the past year the Chinese armed forces have staged a growing number of exercises near Taiwan, including the flying of bombers and other aircraft around it.

— The Economist, "A deadline looms in China’s battle with foreign firms over Taiwan," 5 July 2018
The Hornets' summer team has been practicing twice a day since Monday before flying to Las Vegas Thursday afternoon.

— rick bonnell, charlotteobserver, "Why Hornets rookie Devonte Graham welcomes, isn't rattled by NBA's complex strategies," 4 July 2018
In 2011, protesters rallied at a park downtown against an ordinance that prohibited the official flying of the Confederate battle flag alongside the US, state, and city flags.

— jessica mendoza, The Christian Science Monitor, "In Red Hen aftermath, a community wades through nation's vitriol," 29 June 2018
Overall, train travel with a dog sounds pretty painless, especially when compared with flying.

— Southern Living, "Trains Are Becoming the Preferred Way to Travel with Your Dog," 21 June 2018
The sailor had been born in Salem, Massachusetts but moved to Nashville, Tennessee and his flying of the Union flag greatly angered Confederates.

— josh axelrod and saeed ahmed, CNN, "It's Flag Day. Here are some fun facts about the American flag you may not have known," 14 June 2018
His estimated flying time from St. Louis to New York is 10 hours and for the 3610-mile flight from New York to Paris, approximately 37 hours.

— sandiegouniontribune.com, "May 11, 1927: Lindbergh winging his way from San Diego to Paris," 11 May 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

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flying

Definition of flying

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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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