airplane

noun

air·​plane ˈer-ˌplān 

: a powered heavier-than-air aircraft with fixed wings from which it derives most of its lift

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

• aeroplane [chiefly British]
• plane

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

These are some of the stocks posting the largest moves in premarket trading: Boeing — The airplane maker slipped 1.3% after preliminary fourth-quarter financial results reflected ongoing struggles. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 24 Jan. 2025

More than 10,400 refugees around the globe who had been approved for travel to the United States suddenly found their entry denied, their airplane tickets worthless. —Michael D. Shear, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025

Dad's tape measure proves a real winner, clocking up nine minutes of play time, as does the airplane cookie package, some tape and dangling twine and a large blue tape roll. —Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025

The company behind Bell helicopters and Cessna airplanes also gave a forecast for profit for this upcoming year that fell short of some analysts’ expectations. —Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of aeroplane

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing airplane

• airplane mode

Kids Definition

airplane

noun

air·​plane ˈa(ə)r-ˌplān 

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