aviation
noun
avi·a·tion
ˌā-vē-ˈā-shən 
ˌa-
often attributive
1
: the operation of aircraft
a pioneer in the early days of aviation
a career in aviation
sometimes, specifically
: the operation of heavier-than-air aircraft
Fascinated from that moment on by aviation, [John] Montgomery pursued pioneering experiments in the design of a heavier-than-air glider … —
Kevin Starr
Kevin Starr 2
: military airplanes
carrier-based aviation
3
: airplane manufacture, development, and design
By that time, [Theodore P.] Wright already had established himself as a leading figure in American aviation.—Michael Rothschild
Michael RothschildExamples of aviation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
During the first commercial flight, aviation pioneer Wally Funk became the oldest person to travel to space at age 82.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2024
As a child, Dwight's fascination with aviation led to odd jobs cleaning aircraft owned by wealthy flyers.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 25 Apr. 2024
In recent months, as Ukrainian air defenses have been depleted, Russian pilots have grown more bold in flying sorties near the front and Moscow is using its tactical aviation advantage to devastating effect.
—Marc Santora, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024
The curriculum combines flight, flight simulator, online and in-classroom training.
LIFT Academy also offers an aviation maintenance technician apprenticeship program.
—The Indianapolis Star, 24 Apr. 2024
The plane fits a flight crew of three and offers standard passenger seating for 44 with a maximum of 86, according to Airliners.net, a community of aviation photography enthusiasts.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024
The aviation tragedy comes one month after four people on a Malaysian Coast Guard helicopter were rescued by fishermen after a crash off the coast of Malaysia's Angsa Island during a training flight, the BBC reported.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 23 Apr. 2024
While aviation officials don’t believe Russia is purposely targeting foreign civilian aircraft, the interference still poses a safety risk.
—Ryan Erik King / Jalopnik, Quartz, 23 Apr. 2024
The letter was signed by industry lobby group Airlines for America — whose members include American Airlines (AAL), Delta (DAL) and United (UAL) — and other unions representing aviation workers, including the Air Line Pilots Association.
—Diksha Madhok, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2024
As a child, Dwight's fascination with aviation led to odd jobs cleaning aircraft owned by wealthy flyers.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 25 Apr. 2024
In recent months, as Ukrainian air defenses have been depleted, Russian pilots have grown more bold in flying sorties near the front and Moscow is using its tactical aviation advantage to devastating effect.
—Marc Santora, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024
The curriculum combines flight, flight simulator, online and in-classroom training.
LIFT Academy also offers an aviation maintenance technician apprenticeship program.
—The Indianapolis Star, 24 Apr. 2024
The plane fits a flight crew of three and offers standard passenger seating for 44 with a maximum of 86, according to Airliners.net, a community of aviation photography enthusiasts.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024
The aviation tragedy comes one month after four people on a Malaysian Coast Guard helicopter were rescued by fishermen after a crash off the coast of Malaysia's Angsa Island during a training flight, the BBC reported.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 23 Apr. 2024
While aviation officials don’t believe Russia is purposely targeting foreign civilian aircraft, the interference still poses a safety risk.
—Ryan Erik King / Jalopnik, Quartz, 23 Apr. 2024
The letter was signed by industry lobby group Airlines for America — whose members include American Airlines (AAL), Delta (DAL) and United (UAL) — and other unions representing aviation workers, including the Air Line Pilots Association.
—Diksha Madhok, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aviation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near aviation
Cite this Entry
“Aviation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aviation. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aviation
noun
avi·a·tion
ˌā-vē-ˈā-shən
ˌav-ē-
: the operation of aircraft (as airplanes or helicopters) that are heavier than air
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