as in pilot
one who flies or is qualified to fly an aircraft or spacecraft
her father was an airman who was shot down in Vietnam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 airman
According to the Minnesota National Guard's 2024 annual report, the organization includes nearly 13,000 citizen-soldiers and airmen.
—
Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 18 Jan. 2026
They were escorted from the Middle East by Iowa Guard soldiers and airmen-including Staff Sgt.
—Gov. Kim Reynolds, Des Moines Register, 13 Jan. 2026
Indiana members will replace soldiers and airmen from other states who have been mobilized since August.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Minnesota National Guard Joint Staff Director Simon Schaefer said the agency, which consists of 13,000 soldiers and airmen, has begun preparations in the event the Guard is activated — including equipment checks and notifying service members.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for airman
Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 18 Jan. 2026
They were escorted from the Middle East by Iowa Guard soldiers and airmen-including Staff Sgt.
—Gov. Kim Reynolds, Des Moines Register, 13 Jan. 2026
Indiana members will replace soldiers and airmen from other states who have been mobilized since August.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Minnesota National Guard Joint Staff Director Simon Schaefer said the agency, which consists of 13,000 soldiers and airmen, has begun preparations in the event the Guard is activated — including equipment checks and notifying service members.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for airman
Recent Examples of Synonyms for airman
Noun
-
The National Transportation Safety Board found pilot error to be the cause of the crash, per ABC News.—
InStyle Editors,
InStyle,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The pilot and his electronic warfare officer also struggled with a wet runway at Naval Air Station North Island during their second attempt to land, when winds were creating a tailwind on the landing runway.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Slim sunnies are still en vogue, but oversized shades are perhaps even more popular this season, particularly ’70s-style aviators and bold yet understated black frames.—
India Roby,
Glamour,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The events will include plaque dedications, a tribute to aviator Capt.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Airman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/airman. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
