airport English · revision 2861

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=1902|origins=en air, en port}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈeə.pɔːt/, US /ˈer.pɔːrt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a compound of [[air]], in the sense “aircraft”, and [[port]], “harbour”.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) It was also written separately, air port.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Alberto Santos-Dumont used it once, of airships, in 1902;^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster dates the word to 1902.^(MWU 2024) The OED's first example is from 1919,^(OED 1989) the year from which it was used regularly.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its first regular reference was to Bader Field, outside Atlantic City, New Jersey, which had opened in 1910.^(Etymonline) The OED defines it as an aerodrome, especially one with a customs house.^(OED 1989) An older word for such a place was ''aerodrome''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1902 – used once of airships.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1910 – Bader Field opens.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1919 – in regular use.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An area of level land where [[aircraft]] take off and land, with runways, hangars, a control tower and buildings for passengers and cargo.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Such a place with a [[customs]] station, serving international flights.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[heliport]]

+ * [[jetport]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[air]]

+ * [[port]]

+ * [[aerodrome]]

+ * [[seaport]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}