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aircraft

American  
[air-kraft, -krahft] / ˈɛərˌkræft, -ˌkrɑft /

noun

plural

aircraft

  1. any machine supported for flight in the air by buoyancy or by the dynamic action of air on its surfaces, especially powered airplanes, gliders, and helicopters.

aircraft British  
/ ˈɛəˌkrɑːft /

noun

  1. any machine capable of flying by means of buoyancy or aerodynamic forces, such as a glider, helicopter, or aeroplane

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of aircraft

First recorded in 1840–50; air 1 + craft

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Security analysts are following to see whether Iran obtained from Russia any upgrades to the Shahed drones from newer versions of the aircraft produced in Russia.

From The Wall Street Journal

Footage of the operation posted online by Macron showed Belgian forces rappelling down from the aircraft to board the ship.

From Barron's

A Thaad has also been deployed to Jordan, where many U.S. combat aircraft are now deployed.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Thai government has "coordinated with the Royal Thai Air Force to prepare aircraft to evacuate Thai citizens, prioritising those in Iran", Anutin told reporters in Bangkok, adding that charter flights were also under consideration.

From Barron's

Falling debris from an interception also set off a blaze at Dubai's Jebel Ali port, which hosts US warships and is capable of handling aircraft carriers.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.