aircraft

/ˌɛərˈkræft/

/ˈɛkrɑft/

Other forms: aircrafts

A machine that can fly, held aloft in the air, is called an aircraft. Airplanes and helicopters are two types of aircraft.

Some aircraft, such as helicopters, fly by using rotary wings — spinning blades that directly generate lift. Airplanes use engines to turn propellers or power gas turbines, providing the thrust needed to move air over their wings and create lift. Still other aircraft, including hot-air balloons, achieve lift through buoyancy, by using gases that are lighter than the surrounding air. Balloons and airships, including blimps and dirigibles, were actually the first vehicles referred to as aircraft, a term adapted from nautical terminology.

Definitions of aircraft

1. noun

   a vehicle that can fly
   types:

   bogey, bogie, bogy

   an unidentified (and possibly enemy) aircraft

   cruise missile

   an unmanned aircraft that is a self-contained bomb

   heavier-than-air craft

   a non-buoyant aircraft that requires a source of power to hold it aloft and to propel it

   lighter-than-air craft

   aircraft supported by its own buoyancy

   stealth aircraft

   an aircraft designed in accordance with technology that makes detection by radar difficult

   aeroplane, airplane, plane

   an aircraft that has a fixed wing and is powered by propellers or jets

   airship, dirigible

   a steerable self-propelled aircraft

   autogiro, autogyro, gyroplane

   an aircraft that is supported in flight by unpowered rotating horizontal wings (or blades); forward propulsion is provided by a conventional propeller

   balloon

   large tough nonrigid bag filled with gas or heated air

   drone, pilotless aircraft, radio-controlled aircraft

   an aircraft without a pilot and operated by remote control

   glider, sailplane

   aircraft supported only by the dynamic action of air against its surfaces

   chopper, eggbeater, helicopter, whirlybird

   an aircraft without wings that obtains its lift from the rotation of overhead blades

   ornithopter, orthopter

   heavier-than-air craft that is propelled by the flapping of wings

   stealth bomber

   a bomber that is difficult to detect by radar

   stealth fighter

   a fighter that is difficult to detect by radar; is built for precise targeting and uses laser-guided bombs

   military plane, warplane

   an aircraft designed and used for combat

   type of:

   craft

   a vehicle designed for navigation in or on water or air or through outer space