flying

1 of 2

adjective

fly·​ing ˈflī-iŋ How to pronounce flying (audio)
1
a
: moving or capable of moving in the air
b
: moving or made by moving rapidly
flying feet
a flying leap
c
: very brief
2
: intended for ready movement or action
a flying squad car
3
: having stylized wings
used especially of livestock brand marks
4
: of or relating to the operation of aircraft
a flying club
5
: traversed or to be traversed (as in speed-record trials) after a running start
a flying kilometer

flying

2 of 2

noun

1
: travel by air
2
: the operation of an aircraft or spacecraft
Phrases
with flying colors
: with complete or eminent success

Examples of flying in a Sentence

Adjective a story about a flying car a flying attempt at finishing the work Noun had never had the slightest fear of flying
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.
Adjective
Advertisement One of his first flying jobs was towing advertising banners, first in Florida and then in Southern California out of the Compton airport. Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2024 Hundreds of flights to and from UK airports were cancelled on what was projected to be the busiest flying day since 2019, and the Government convened its COBR crisis response. The Week Uk, theweek, 27 July 2024
Noun
This type of aircraft would save fuel, even if configured in a tube-and-wing design, for North Atlantic flights and other mid-range flying. Dean Donovan, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 Though the Queen might not be a fan of flying, her working royal role sometimes calls for long-haul travel, like the major trip to Australia and Samoa. Janine Henni, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for flying 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flying was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near flying

Cite this Entry

“Flying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flying. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

flying

adjective
fly·​ing
ˈflī-iŋ
1
a
: moving or made by moving rapidly
a flying leap
b
: hasty sense 1a
a flying visit
2
: ready to move or act quickly
a flying squad car

More from Merriam-Webster on flying

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!