spacecraft

noun

space·​craft ˈspās-ˌkraft How to pronounce spacecraft (audio)
: a vehicle or device designed for travel or operation outside the earth's atmosphere

Examples of spacecraft in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft takes passengers above the Kármán line 62 miles above the earth. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2025 After the crew exits the Dragon spacecraft, they will not be given additional medical and operational assistance to help researchers characterize the ability of astronauts to perform unassisted functional tasks after short and long durations in space. — Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025 However, instead of heading to the northeast in pursuit of the International Space Station, the Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft departed Launch Complex 39A and arced to the southeast, then turned south on a flight path hugging Florida's east coast. — ArsTechnica, 4 Apr. 2025 Elon Musk's SpaceX, which supplied the rocket and spacecraft for the mission, livestreamed the landing. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spacecraft

Word History

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spacecraft was in 1929

Rhymes for spacecraft

See All Rhymes for spacecraft

Browse Nearby Words

space-charge effect
spacecraft
space curve
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Cite this Entry

“Spacecraft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spacecraft. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

spacecraft

noun
space·​craft ˈspā-ˌskraft How to pronounce spacecraft (audio)
plural spacecraft
: a vehicle for travel beyond the earth's atmosphere

More from Merriam-Webster on spacecraft

Nglish: Translation of spacecraft for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spacecraft

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