airspeed

noun

air·​speed ˈer-ˌspēd How to pronounce airspeed (audio)
: the speed (as of an airplane) with relation to the air compare ground speed

Examples of airspeed 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 flight data recorder monitors a plane’s altitude, airspeed and heading, according to the NTSB. Ben Finley, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025 The second is called a Flight Data Recorder, which monitors parameters such as altitude, airspeed, and heading. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2025 Those advantages also have a downside: ramjets are entirely ineffective at low speeds and are often accompanied by turbojets to handle subsonic flight, where the airspeed isn't enough to feed air-hungry ramjet engines. New Atlas, 20 Dec. 2024 Battery Handheld Leaf Blower: on sale for $299 Original price: $329 (Lowe's) This EGO Power leaf blower runs for 90 minutes on a single charge and delivers airspeeds up to 200 MPH. Nora Colomer, Fox News, 31 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for airspeed 

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of airspeed was in 1909

Dictionary Entries Near airspeed

Cite this Entry

“Airspeed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airspeed. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

airspeed

noun
air·​speed -ˌspēd How to pronounce airspeed (audio)
: the speed of an airplane according to measurements of the surrounding air rather than of the ground below
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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