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 types of experiments in partial gravity can be done on parabolic airplane flights, but those only provide a few seconds of the right conditions to simulate the Moon's gravity. —Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 7 Feb. 2025

What: The exhibition will include works of art and memorabilia items as well as activities such as comic strip drawing, coloring, paper airplane making and photo opportunities. —Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2025

The plane’s cockpit voice recorder was located at the site of initial impact, along with the airplane’s enhanced ground proximity warning system, which could also contain flight data. —Rebekah Riess, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025

Science: Dark Age: Flight is unlocked with Combustion, but +50% Production cost for all airplanes. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 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