air force

noun

1
: the military organization of a nation for air warfare
2
: a unit of the U.S. Air Force higher than a division and lower than a command

Examples of air force in a Sentence

the combined allied air forces
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.
The main Russian targets were in the Kyiv and southern Odesa regions, the air force said in a statement. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 While Qatar duly intercepted these threats, it isn’t known to have used its air force in retaliation for any Iranian attacks on its territory. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Jihadi militants had on two occasions this year attacked the airport, a strategic hub that hosts a Nigerien air force base as well as the headquarters of the joint Niger-Burkina Faso-Mali military force. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 The five-week assault at the beginning of the war wiped out Iran's limited air force, including its air defenses, and virtually all of its navy, aside from small speed boats. — Greg Myre, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for air force

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of air force was in 1911

Browse Nearby Words

airfoil
air force
air force blue
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Air force.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/air%20force. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

air force

noun
: the military organization of a nation for air warfare

More from Merriam-Webster on air force

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about air force

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