airplane mode
noun
variants
US airplane mode
or British aeroplane mode
: an operating mode for an electronic device (such as a mobile phone) in which the device does not connect to wireless networks and cannot send or receive communications (such as calls or text messages) or access the Internet but remains usable for other functions
Today [in 2009], airlines may let passengers use newer-model cell phones in what's called "airplane" mode, which essentially disables the transmission function so they can't make calls. … FAA guidance allows cell phone calls once the plane has landed and is taxiing to the gate.—
Air Safety Week
Air Safety WeekNow, I do all I can to ensure that I have a calm and productive morning. I keep my phone in the kitchen overnight, often not turning it off airplane mode until I start work.—Benjamin Spall
Benjamin SpallExamples of airplane mode in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
During these searches, your device is typically in airplane mode or offline, so the officer can only go through what's on the hard drive or operating system.
—Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
The flight tests in January 2025 consisted of over 40 takeoffs and landings along with 30 extremely complex transitions between helicopter and airplane mode, reaching a top cruise speed of 86 knots (99 mph, 159 km/h).
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 10 Mar. 2025
Upon arriving at the hospital, a local FBI detective reviewed Eli Heacock's phone, recognized it as a potential sextortion case and put the teenager's phone on airplane mode, his mother said.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025
With Offline Device Lock activated, your phone will go to the lock screen, up to twice a day, if the internet is suddenly turned off for a while or airplane mode is activated.
—Reece Rogers, WIRED, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for airplane mode
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Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
The flight tests in January 2025 consisted of over 40 takeoffs and landings along with 30 extremely complex transitions between helicopter and airplane mode, reaching a top cruise speed of 86 knots (99 mph, 159 km/h).
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 10 Mar. 2025
Upon arriving at the hospital, a local FBI detective reviewed Eli Heacock's phone, recognized it as a potential sextortion case and put the teenager's phone on airplane mode, his mother said.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025
With Offline Device Lock activated, your phone will go to the lock screen, up to twice a day, if the internet is suddenly turned off for a while or airplane mode is activated.
—Reece Rogers, WIRED, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for airplane mode
Cite this Entry
“Airplane mode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airplane%20mode. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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