aviator

noun

avi·​a·​tor ˈā-vē-ˌā-tər How to pronounce aviator (audio) ˈa- How to pronounce aviator (audio)
plural aviators
Synonyms of aviator
1
: the operator or pilot of an aircraft and especially an airplane
2
aviators plural : aviator glasses
The heat had begun to settle in, and as she hit the sidewalk, she slipped on her new sunglasses, a trendy pair of aviators.—Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Synonyms of aviator

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Examples of aviator in a Sentence

the solo flight from New York to Paris by the aviator Charles Lindbergh captured the imagination of people around the world
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.
During a speech in Des Moines, Iowa, aviator and military officer Charles Lindbergh identified the British, the Jewish community and the Roosevelt administration as the primary advocates for America’s entry into war with Germany. — USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 At the conclusion of the process, the board can recommend what should happen to an aviator’s flight status. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Ted Williams lost nearly five full seasons of his magnificent career while serving as a Marine aviator during World War II and Korea. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026 The Infamous Flight Jacket No piece from the film – except perhaps Maverick’s aviators – is more closely tied to its costume design than the pilot jacket. — Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aviator

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of aviator was in 1868

Phrases Containing aviator

Rhymes for aviator

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Browse Nearby Words

aviation medicine
aviator
aviator's ear
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Cite this Entry

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

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