airframe

noun

air·​frame ˈer-ˌfrām How to pronounce airframe (audio)
: the structure of an aircraft, rocket vehicle, or missile without the power plant
also : aircraft

Examples of airframe 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.
The drone is the ostensible replacement for the Mavic 3 Enterprise and features a similar backpack-friendly foldable airframe. Jim Fisher, PCMAG, 8 Jan. 2025 The great warplane evacuation may have saved valuable airframes from destruction in the recent drone bombardment. David Axe, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024 What's more, it's supposed to pack the VTOL lift fan and direct thrust technology developed by Lockheed Martin and partners (at a cost of billions of dollars) into an airframe only 6 feet long (1.8 m) with a wingspan of 5 feet (1.5 m). David Szondy, New Atlas, 13 Dec. 2024 The aluminum skin wrapped around an airframe is typically around a millimeter thick. Ryan Erik King / Jalopnik, Quartz, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for airframe 

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of airframe was in 1930

Dictionary Entries Near airframe

Cite this Entry

“Airframe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airframe. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

airframe

noun
air·​frame ˈa(ə)r-ˌfrām How to pronounce airframe (audio)
ˈe(ə)r-
: the structure of an aircraft, rocket vehicle, or missile without the engine and related parts

More from Merriam-Webster on airframe

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