flyby

noun

fly·​by ˈflī-ˌbī 

plural flybys

1

: a prearranged usually low-altitude flight by one or more airplanes over a public gathering (such as an air show)

2

a

: a flight of a spacecraft past a celestial body (such as Mars) close enough to obtain scientific data

b

: a spacecraft that makes a flyby

Examples of flyby in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During Juno's flyby of Io on Dec. 27, 2024, the spacecraft spotted what has turned out to be the most energetic volcanic eruption ever recorded on Io. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 30 Apr. 2025

Hera practically snuggled Mars and Deimos during the flyby. —Amanda Kooser, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

The flyby, which occurred under escort by United States fighter jets, sparked discussion among aviation enthusiasts. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025

Hera captured the images while conducting a flyby, also known as a gravity assist: a maneuver that harnesses a planet’s gravity to accelerate and redirect a spacecraft, reducing the need for fuel and saving time and resources. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for flyby

• apply
• awry
• belie
• bely
• bigeye
• bonsai
• buckeye
• comply
• coxae
• decry
• defy
• deny

Kids Definition

flyby

noun

fly·​by -ˌbī 

plural flybys

1

: a usually low-altitude flight past a chosen place by one or more aircraft

2

a

: a flight of a spacecraft past a heavenly body (as Mars) close enough to obtain scientific information

b

: a spacecraft that makes a flyby