airframe

noun

Definition of airframenext
as in aircraft

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of airframe Ground systems get upgrades The P-8A is best known as a maritime patrol aircraft, but its missions extend well beyond the airframe. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026 Operating them isn't merely a matter of shrinking standard flight systems down into a smaller airframe or designing around the absence of a cockpit. — New Atlas, 20 Sep. 2026 Although the plane flew under the Amazon Prime Air branding and network, the e-commerce giant does not hold the air operator certificate or maintenance responsibility for the airframe. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for airframe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for airframe
  1. aircraft
  2. airplane
  3. plane
  4. ship
  5. airship
  6. helicopter
Noun
  • The aircraft is particularly suited to Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), maritime surveillance, anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Data from Flightradar24 showed a number of aircraft searching south of the island.
    — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of aircraft
Noun
  • The number includes both airplanes and helicopters as well as drones, with the MQ-9 Reaper drone – used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, close air support and combat search and rescue – accounting for more than half of the losses.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Officials say residents in the affected counties should expect to spot low-flying airplanes or helicopters during these times.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of airplane
Noun
  • Some 10 days after the attack, the soldiers were loaded onto a cargo plane.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • There's also a showroom for a collection of vintage cars and planes, including a Ford Model T and the motorcycle from Easy Rider; and an on-grounds wildlife habit made up of animals that have been rehomed from other facilities.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of plane
Noun
  • Navy officials initially said leadership had not observed an increase in suicidal ideations or attempts aboard the ship.
    — Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The ministry said that port and ship repair facilities in the southern Odesa region and ships carrying cargo for the Ukrainian military were also hit.
    — SAMYA KULLAB, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of ship
Noun
  • The team continuously received the returning light while the airship drifted.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Brown says the company plans a blimp that can stay aloft for 24 hours or more within a year, which raises the question of what an advertising airship does at night.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of airship
Noun
  • The system is designed to provide short-range protection against drones, helicopters and low-flying aircraft, adding an air-defense layer alongside NMESIS’ anti-ship capability.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The Coast Guard has deployed two search and rescue planes as well as a helicopter and a motor lifeboat.
    — Frank Langfitt, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of helicopter

Browse Nearby Words

airflows
airframe
airframes
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Cite this Entry

“Airframe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/airframe. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about airframe

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