Etymologically
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airplane

Etymology and origin of the English word airplane

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Compound
First attested
1907

Pronunciation

  • IPA: UK /ˈeə.pleɪn/, US /ˈer.pleɪn/[1]

Etymology

It is formed from air and plane,[2] altering aeroplane under the influence of air.[3][4] Merriam-Webster traces aeroplane probably to Late Greek ἀεροπλάνος (aeroplános, “wandering in air”).[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

1907.[3][2]

Semantic evolution

Its first uses are British, but it came to predominate in American English, largely replacing aeroplane (1873 in this sense), which remains common in Britain.[2] It soon replaced aeroplane in official American publications and in some British ones, such as the RAF regulations of 1918, and Skeat had recommended it in 1911.[3] Aircraft in the same sense is also from 1907; earlier names were Byron's air-vessel (1822), aeromotive (1865) and air-boat (1870).[2]

Timeline

  • 1822 – air-vessel (Byron).[2]
  • 1873 – aeroplane.[2]
  • 1907 – airplane; aircraft.[3][2]
  • 1911 – Skeat recommends airplane.[3]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. (chiefly US, Canada) A powered, heavier-than-air flying vehicle with fixed wings; an aeroplane.

Word family

  • airplane cloth

References

  1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c d e Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  4. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
Cite this entry

“Airplane.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/airplane. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·