aviation
noun
avi·a·tion
ˌā-vē-ˈā-shən 
ˌa-
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
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
Michael RothschildExamples of aviation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Take a moment to catch up on what’s been happening in the world of airlines and aviation.
—Melvin Backman, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
Civil aviation ministers from both countries met in September to discuss the resumption of direct passenger flights after they were suspended in 2020.
—Harsh V. Pant, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024
If these projects take off, the future of aviation could look a lot like what was promised all those years ago in The Jetsons.
—New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2024
In the absence of those new solutions for commercial aviation, policy support and investment have overwhelmingly favored the development of synthetic hydrocarbons, also called sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).
—Dean Donovan, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for aviation 
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Melvin Backman, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
Civil aviation ministers from both countries met in September to discuss the resumption of direct passenger flights after they were suspended in 2020.
—Harsh V. Pant, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024
If these projects take off, the future of aviation could look a lot like what was promised all those years ago in The Jetsons.
—New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2024
In the absence of those new solutions for commercial aviation, policy support and investment have overwhelmingly favored the development of synthetic hydrocarbons, also called sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).
—Dean Donovan, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for aviation
Articles Related to aviation
Dictionary Entries Near aviation
Cite this Entry
“Aviation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aviation. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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aviation
noun
avi·a·tion
ˌā-vē-ˈā-shən
ˌav-ē-
: the operation of aircraft (as airplanes or helicopters) that are heavier than air
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