airline

1 of 2

noun (1)

air·​line ˈer-ˌlīn How to pronounce airline (audio)
: an air transportation system including its equipment, routes, operating personnel, and management

air line

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a straight line through the air between two points

Examples of airline 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.
Noun
By 2011, Bayliss was promoted to CEO of Virgin Group, overseeing a sprawling portfolio that includes an airline, telecommunications giant, gym chain, and commercial space-tourism business. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 Top government officials have blamed airline crashes on minority hiring without any evidence. — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026 The near miss raised questions about why the commercial flight was cleared for takeoff while Marine One was preparing to depart, a period when airline traffic is typically halted around presidential helicopter operations. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 The backstory The hotel opened in 1986 as the Tokyo ANA Hotel, timed to the airline's debut as an international carrier, and took the InterContinental name in 2007 after ANA's hotel business merged with IHG. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for airline

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1844, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1813, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of airline was in 1813

Rhymes for airline

See All Rhymes for airline

Browse Nearby Words

airlifter
airline
air line
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Airline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airline. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

airline

noun
air·​line -ˌlīn How to pronounce airline (audio)
: a system of transportation by airplanes including its routes, equipment, and workers

More from Merriam-Webster on airline

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about airline

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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