aeronautics

noun

aero·​nau·​tics ˌer-ə-ˈnȯ-tiks How to pronounce aeronautics (audio)
-ˈnä-
plural in form but singular in construction
Synonyms of aeronauticsnext
1
: a science dealing with the operation of aircraft
2
: the art or science of flight
aeronautical
ˌer-ə-ˈnȯ-ti-kəl How to pronounce aeronautics (audio)
-ˈnä-
adjective
or less commonly aeronautic
ˌer-ə-ˈnȯ-tik How to pronounce aeronautics (audio)
-ˈnä-
aeronautically
ˌer-ə-ˈnȯ-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce aeronautics (audio)
-ˈnä-
adverb

Examples of aeronautics in a Sentence

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.
Goodyear blimps What started out as a new emerging aeronautics business for Goodyear in 1910 has grown into a cultural icon as the company’s Goodyear blimps have flown over major sporting events and historical landmarks. — Michael Wayland, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2025 Harris and his aeronautics team at MIT delivered that technology. — IEEE Spectrum, 18 Sep. 2024 While Gulfstream’s Quiet Spike testing received a patent and aeronautics awards, it was shelved. — Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 27 Jan. 2025 Based on the facts of Earhart’s final voyage, the company was searching in the right place, as Dorothy Cochrane, an aeronautics curator at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, tells Smithsonian magazine. — Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for aeronautics

Word History

Etymology

aeronautic "of or relating to the art or science of flight" (borrowed from New Latin aëronauticus, from Greek aero- aero- + nautikós "of ships, of seafaring") + -ics — more at nautical

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aeronautics was in 1798

Rhymes for aeronautics

See All Rhymes for aeronautics

Browse Nearby Words

aeronautics
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Cite this Entry

“Aeronautics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aeronautics. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

aeronautics

noun
aero·​nau·​tics ˌar-ə-ˈnȯt-iks How to pronounce aeronautics (audio)
ˌer-
1
: a science dealing with the operation of aircraft
2
: the art or science of flight
aeronautical
-ˈnȯt-i-kəl How to pronounce aeronautics (audio)
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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