airplane

air-plane · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A powered flying vehicle with fixed wings and a weight greater than that of the air it displaces.

  2. 2.

    (Specifically American English) What British English calls an aeroplane.

Forms

plural: airplanes

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    airplane mode — A device setting that disables wireless transmissions.
  • •
    paper airplane — A toy aircraft made from folded paper.
  • •
    by airplane — Traveling via air transport.

Related words

See also: aircraft, airplanes, flight
Synonyms: aeroplane, aircraft, plane

Etymology

American English compound of air + plane (short for aeroplane). First attested in the early 20th century after the Wright brothers' first flight in 1903. British English prefers aeroplane.