service ceiling

noun

: the altitude at which under standard air conditions a particular aircraft can no longer rise at a rate greater than a small designated rate (such as 100 feet per minute)

Examples of service ceiling in a Sentence

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.
Other pertinent stats include a service ceiling of 31,000 feet and a range of 650 miles. Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 14 Aug. 2025 Related Stories The Chinese surveillance balloon was flying at an altitude of 60,000 feet, above the service ceiling of most combat aircraft. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 22 Feb. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of service ceiling was in 1920

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Cite this Entry

“Service ceiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/service%20ceiling. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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