What does "taxi" mean?

1. (vehicle for hire) a car with a driver that you pay to take you from one place to another. 2. (aircraft ground movement) the slow movement of an airplane on the ground before it takes off or after it lands. 3. (to move an aircraft on the ground) to drive an airplane slowly on the ground. 4. (to travel by cab) to go somewhere using a taxi.

taxi

n. · v.

US //ˈtæksi// UK //tˈæksi// taxi

1 vehicle for hire (n.)
A1 Beginner

a car with a driver that you pay to take you from one place to another.

a motor vehicle licensed to transport passengers in exchange for a fare, typically determined by a taximeter.

Example

We were running late for the play, so we decided to take a taxi to the theatre.

Example

The city's transport department recently increased the standard fare for a taxi, citing the rising costs of fuel and vehicle maintenance.
- cab
- taxicab
2 aircraft ground movement (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Science

the slow movement of an airplane on the ground before it takes off or after it lands.

the movement of an aircraft on the surface of an airport under its own power, excluding take-off and landing runs.

Example

The pilot began the taxi to the runway after receiving permission from the tower.

Example

During the long taxi from the remote terminal to the active runway, the captain provided a brief update regarding the expected flight time.
- ground movement
- flight

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3 to move an aircraft on the ground (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Science

to drive an airplane slowly on the ground.

to move an aircraft along the ground under its own power, typically between a parking area and a runway.

Example

The plane had to taxi for twenty minutes because the airport was so busy.

Example

After landing safely in the heavy rain, the pilot was instructed to taxi toward gate twelve and wait for the ground crew.
- fly
- soar
4 to travel by cab (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to go somewhere using a taxi.

to travel or be transported by means of a taxicab.

Example

They taxied across the city to reach the restaurant before it closed.

Example

Rather than navigating the complex subway system with heavy luggage, the tourists chose to taxi directly to their hotel.
- take a cab

Origin

Shortened from taximeter cab, taximeter (“automatic meter that records distance and fare”) from French taximètre, from German Taxameter (whence also English taxameter), coined from Medieval Latin taxa (“tax, charge”). More at tax, task. The aviation sense originally derived for a slang term for training aircraft used for practicing ground operations, which were said to drive around the airfield like a taxicab, and subsequently applied to all aircraft ground movements.