aeronautics

noun

aero·​nau·​tics ˌer-ə-ˈnȯ-tiks How to pronounce aeronautics (audio)
-ˈnä-
plural in form but singular in construction
1
: a science dealing with the operation of aircraft
2
: the art or science of flight
aeronautical adjective
or less commonly aeronautic
aeronautically adverb

Examples of aeronautics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The agency is also researching unmanned aircraft and drones that could help with emergency response during wildfires, said Huy Tran, aeronautics director with NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2023 An aeronautics historian explains the history of spy balloons and why countries continue to use them. Nancy A. Youssef, WSJ, 29 June 2023 Between those wings and other efficiency tweaks, the plane could be 30 percent more fuel efficient than similar-sized aircraft today, like the single-aisle Boeing 737 or Airbus A320, according to the aeronautics and space agency. Rob Verger, Popular Science, 15 June 2023 The launch of its system, which uses technology from a different company, was delayed by the pandemic, said David Ulane, director of the aeronautics division of the Colorado Department of Transportation. Lori Aratani, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2023 Private aeronautics firm Blue Origin on Monday became the first company to successfully launch a rocket into space and bring it back to Earth for a safe landing. Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 25 Nov. 2015 Skywriting was all the rage in the early days of aeronautics. Ryan Fonsecastaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2022 Some of the money — at least $179,000, according to prosecutors — also went toward a payment to a Texas aeronautics company. Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Nov. 2022 John Dabiri, a Caltech aeronautics and mechanical engineering professor who helped Peele create the concept of the UFO, took inspiration from marine life species such as squid and jellyfish, according to Thrillist. Angie Orellana Hernandez, USA TODAY, 30 July 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aeronautics.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

aeronautic "of or relating to the art or science of flight" (borrowed from New Latin aëronauticus, from Greek aero- aero- + nautikós "of ships, of seafaring") + -ics — more at nautical

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aeronautics was in 1798

Dictionary Entries Near aeronautics

Cite this Entry

“Aeronautics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aeronautics. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

aeronautics

noun
aero·​nau·​tics ˌar-ə-ˈnȯt-iks How to pronounce aeronautics (audio)
ˌer-
1
: a science dealing with the operation of aircraft
2
: the art or science of flight
aeronautical adjective
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!