airplane

noun

air·​plane ˈer-ˌplān How to pronounce airplane (audio)
Synonyms of airplanenext
: a powered heavier-than-air aircraft with fixed wings from which it derives most of its lift

Illustration of airplane

Illustration of airplane
  • 1 weather radar
  • 2 cockpit
  • 3 jet engine
  • 4 engine pod
  • 5 pylon
  • 6 wing
  • 7 vertical stabilizer
  • 8 rudder
  • 9 10 tabs
  • 11 elevator
  • 12 horizontal stabilizer
  • 13 inboard flap
  • 14 inboard spoiler
  • 15 16 tabs
  • 17 aileron
  • 18 outboard flap
  • 19 outboard spoiler
  • 20 sound suppressor
  • 21 thrust reverser
  • 22 cabin air intake
  • 23 fuselage
  • 24 nose landing gear

Synonyms of airplane

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Examples of airplane in a Sentence

my uncle learned how to fly an airplane while serving in the air force
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.
Of course, the circumstances for why each band lost their personnel varies, such as illness (Mick Jones), death (the 1977 Skynyrd airplane crash), and the inevitable need for retirement. —Devon Ivie, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026 Planes, crews were stuck Mann, the aviation consultant, warned that in addition to flight cancellations, airplanes and crews could have been stuck in El Paso for the duration of the closure. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026 Ratajkowski basked in the glow of the sun coming through the airplane windows. —Christina Perrier, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026 The Gus Bus has hopped on an airplane, ready to play in his first Olympics. —Ren Clayton, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for airplane

Word History

Etymology

alteration of aeroplane

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of airplane was in 1906

Phrases Containing airplane

Rhymes for airplane

See All Rhymes for airplane

Browse Nearby Words

air pistol
airplane
airplane cloth
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Airplane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airplane. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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Kids Definition

airplane

noun
air·​plane ˈa(ə)r-ˌplān How to pronounce airplane (audio)
ˈe(ə)r-
: a fixed-wing heavier-than-air aircraft that is driven by a propeller or by a forceful stream of gases backward and is supported by the reaction of the air against its wings

More from Merriam-Webster on airplane

Nglish: Translation of airplane for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about airplane

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