contrail

noun

con·​trail ˈkän-ˌtrāl How to pronounce contrail (audio)
: streaks of condensed water vapor created in the air by an airplane or rocket at high altitudes

Examples of contrail in a Sentence

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.
That is certainly the case with the chemtrails conspiracy theory, which is based on the premise that aircraft condensation trails, or contrails, contain chemicals for weather modification, controlling citizens’ brains or even biological warfare. Ramishah Maruf, Brandon Miller, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025 The Case for Direct Air Capture in Aviation Aviation contributes approximately 4% of global anthropogenic climate warming, with two-thirds of its impact stemming from non-CO2 effects such as contrails. Phil De Luna, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025 There’s admittedly something a little perverse about being a contrail enthusiast. Kate Folk, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2025 By burning cleaner, these fuels also reduce non-CO2 impacts like contrail formation, significantly reducing aviation’s climate footprint. Phil De Luna, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contrail

Word History

Etymology

condensation trail

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contrail was in 1943

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contrail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contrail. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

contrail

noun
con·​trail ˈkän-ˌtrāl How to pronounce contrail (audio)
: a stream of visible water or ice particles created in the air by an airplane or rocket at high altitudes

More from Merriam-Webster on contrail

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