airplane
n. · v.-
1 flying vehicle (n.) A1 Beginner American English Sciencea vehicle with wings and an engine that flies through the air.
a powered, fixed-wing aircraft heavier than air.
ExampleThe airplane took off from the runway and disappeared into the clouds.
ExampleModern airplane design focuses heavily on fuel efficiency and the reduction of carbon emissions during long-haul flights.
UsageIn British English, the spelling 'aeroplane' is used instead.
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2 feeding game (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informala game where you pretend a spoon of food is a plane to help a child eat.
a feeding technique where a caregiver mimics the flight of an aircraft with a spoon to encourage a child to open their mouth.
ExampleHe made a buzzing sound and played airplane to get the baby to eat her peas.
ExampleExasperated by the toddler's refusal to eat, the father resorted to playing airplane with the mashed carrots.
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3 to travel by air (v.) C1 Advanced American English Formalto travel or fly somewhere using a plane.
to travel via aircraft or to transport goods using an aviation service.
ExampleThe company decided to airplane the emergency supplies to the island.
ExampleThe delegates chose to airplane across the continent rather than endure the three-day train journey.
UsageThis verb use is less common than the noun; 'fly' is preferred in most contexts.
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.
- Nounairplane
- Nounplane