Word
airplane
Phoneticsair·plane, stress on the first syllable
/ˈɛɹˌpɫeɪn/
UK spelling · aeroplane
Definitions
01flying vehicle
A1 · Beginner Countable noun Science American English
n. a vehicle with wings and an engine that flies through the air.
n. a powered, fixed-wing aircraft heavier than air.
“The airplane took off from the runway and disappeared into the clouds.”
“Modern airplane design focuses heavily on fuel efficiency and the reduction of carbon emissions during long-haul flights.”
Usage
In British English, the spelling 'aeroplane' is used instead.
02feeding game
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal
n. a game where you pretend a spoon of food is a plane to help a child eat.
n. a feeding technique where a caregiver mimics the flight of an aircraft with a spoon to encourage a child to open their mouth.
“He made a buzzing sound and played airplane to get the baby to eat her peas.”
“Exasperated by the toddler's refusal to eat, the father resorted to playing airplane with the mashed carrots.”
03to travel by air
C1 · Advanced American English · Formal
v. to travel or fly somewhere using a plane.
v. to travel via aircraft or to transport goods using an aviation service.
“The company decided to airplane the emergency supplies to the island.”
“The delegates chose to airplane across the continent rather than endure the three-day train journey.”
Usage
This verb use is less common than the noun; 'fly' is preferred in most contexts.
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ews- Proto-Indo-European *h₂ewsér Proto-Hellenic *auhḗr Ancient Greek ᾱ̓ήρ (āḗr)bor. Latin āēr Old French airbor. Middle English aire English air ▲ Ancient Greek ᾱ̓ήρ (āḗr) Ancient Greek πλανάω (planáō) Ancient Greek πλάνος (plános) Ancient Greek ᾱ̓ερόπλᾰνος (āeróplănos)der. French aéroplanebor. English aeroplaneclip. English plane English airplane From air + plane as an alteration of aeroplane.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
The word in film
Airplane! · 1980 · Comedy
- Directed by:
- David Zucker
- Starring:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Leslie Nielsen, Ethel Merman
This 1980s comedy by director David Zucker parodies the disaster movie genre by focusing on a chaotic flight where the crew becomes ill. Leslie Nielsen stars in the story of a troubled pilot who must take control of the flying vehicle to save everyone on board.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/airplane