Aeroplane
/ˈɛərəpleɪn/
nounBeginnerVery CommonGeneral
Meaning
Questions
Definitions
1
A fixed-wing aircraft that is powered by engines.
/ˈɛərəpleɪn/
nounneutralBeginner
General
A powered flying vehicle with wings and a fuselage.
The aeroplane soared through the clouds.
💡 Simply: A vehicle that flies using wings and engines.
More Examples
2
She boarded the aeroplane and found her seat.
How It's Used
Transportation
"We took an aeroplane to Paris."
Aviation
"The aeroplane's engines roared to life."
From aero- + plane. 'Aero-' from Greek 'aer' (air) and 'plane' referring to a flat surface; originally referring to a flat-winged aircraft.
The word 'aeroplane' was initially used more frequently than 'airplane', especially in British English. The usage has largely converged over time.
Memory tip
Aero (air) + plane (flat surface)
Practice
Base: plane
airplainaeroplaneaeroplan
Usage
70%Spoken
30%Written