aircraft
English meaning: Aircraft
Definition
A vehicle capable of atmospheric flight due to interaction with the air, such as buoyancy or lift
Example
“The airport handles hundreds of aircraft every single day.”
Another example: “Several military aircraft flew over the city during the parade.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A neutral noun for any flying machine, from planes to helicopters and airships. Notably uncountable in form: 'aircraft' is both singular and plural ('one aircraft', 'three aircraft'). Common in aviation, military, and news contexts.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
A compound of 'air' plus 'craft' (a vessel or vehicle), coined in the late 19th century by analogy with 'watercraft'.
Synonyms
- plane
- airplane
- aeroplane
- flying machine
Related Words
Common Collocations
- military aircraft
- commercial aircraft
- light aircraft
- aircraft carrier
- unmanned aircraft
- aircraft engine
Word Forms
aircraft (n, sing. and pl.)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B