aviation

noun

avi·​a·​tion ˌā-vē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce aviation (audio)
ˌa-
Synonyms of aviationnext
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
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

Examples of aviation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Since then, the presence of gangs in and near Port-au-Prince has continued to affect the aviation industry, even though domestic flight service has resumed. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026 His tenure was immediately marked by tragedy after a fatal aviation crash near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, DC, that killed 67 people. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 Silicon anodes for aviation The technology has already found a place in high-altitude aviation through AALTO HAPS and its Zephyr aircraft. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026 Between the world wars, every major navy could see that aviation would change war at sea. — Pankaj Prasoon, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aviation

Word History

Etymology

French, from Latin avis

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aviation was in 1865

Phrases Containing aviation

Rhymes for aviation

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Cite this Entry

“Aviation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aviation. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

aviation

noun
avi·​a·​tion ˌā-vē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce aviation (audio)
ˌav-ē-
: the operation of aircraft (as airplanes or helicopters) that are heavier than air

More from Merriam-Webster on aviation

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for aviation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aviation

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