aircraft

noun

air·​craft ˈer-ˌkraft 

plural aircraft

often attributive

: a vehicle (such as an airplane or balloon) for traveling through the air

Examples of aircraft in a Sentence

a company that manufactures aircraft

Recent Examples on the Web

This took more than 1,000 new aircraft out of service for the better part of two years. —Oliver Wyman, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

In other economic news Thursday, orders for long-lasting goods such as aircraft, appliances and computers unexpectedly jumped 3.1% in January, a potential sign of attempts to make big-ticket purchases ahead of an acceleration in tariffs. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025

The number of deaths aboard aircraft in the United States is also on the decline. —Melissa Chan, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2025

The Boeing 717 aircraft had a potential issue with its hydraulic system, the airline reported. —Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing aircraft

• aircraft carrier
• rotary-wing aircraft

Rhymes for aircraft

• abaft
• camshaft
• crankshaft
• downdraft
• engraft
• priestcraft
• redraft
• schoolcraft
• spacecraft
• stagecraft
• statecraft
• updraft

Kids Definition

aircraft

noun

air·​craft ˈa(ə)r-ˌkraft 

ˈe(ə)r-

plural aircraft

: a machine (as an airplane, glider, or helicopter) that can travel through the air and that is supported either by its own buoyancy or by the action of the air against its surfaces