aviation

noun

avi·​a·​tion ˌā-vē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce aviation (audio)
ˌa-
often attributive
1
: the operation of aircraft
a pioneer in the early days of aviation
a career in aviation
sometimes, specifically : the operation of heavier-than-air aircraft
Fascinated from that moment on by aviation, [John] Montgomery pursued pioneering experiments in the design of a heavier-than-air glider … Kevin Starr
2
: military airplanes
carrier-based aviation
3
: airplane manufacture, development, and design
By that time, [Theodore P.] Wright already had established himself as a leading figure in American aviation.Michael Rothschild

Examples of aviation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That’s why regulators conduct months-long investigations into aviation incidents, to really dig down and analyze all the factors that contributed. Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024 The Department of Transportation says that commercial customers are subsidizing private jet travel with a $4.50 per-flight fee and a 7.5% tax to support the U.S. aviation system, while private planes contribute less than 1% of the taxes to keep the system running. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 21 Mar. 2024 According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, about 600 Airbus jets globally have been grounded for at least the last month due to an issue with engines made by US aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney. Hanna Ziady, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 The Indian government is encouraging more investment in its aviation industry, with the Modi administration saying that the government would spend 980 billion Indian rupees ($11.83 billion) by 2025 to build new airports and modernize existing ones. Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 15 Mar. 2024 Post-incident investigations should be customary, akin to those conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board in the aviation industry. Jonathan Slotkin and David Vawdrey, STAT, 14 Mar. 2024 The airport’s rebound mirrors national trends in the airline industry, said James Peoples, a professor at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee who studies the aviation industry. David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024 Authorities said that the crash happened at approximately 2:50 p.m. MST on Friday while the soldiers and the CBP agent were conducting aviation operations near the Rio Grande City, Texas. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2024 The Fund is backing Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s second flag carrier, which is tasked with expanding the country’s aviation reach and turning it into a regional transport hub. Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aviation.' 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

French, from Latin avis

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aviation was in 1865

Dictionary Entries Near aviation

Cite this Entry

“Aviation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aviation. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

aviation

noun
avi·​a·​tion ˌā-vē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce aviation (audio)
ˌav-ē-
: the operation of aircraft (as airplanes or helicopters) that are heavier than air
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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