airplane

Everyday

1. A flying machine with wings and engines that carries people or goods through the air. tree →
2. (informal) A toy model of such a machine, including a paper airplane. tree →

In the lessons

Used in everyday life about travel and in science lessons about flight, air, lift and forces. In stories, a trip by airplane is a big journey. Phrases: by airplane, get on an airplane, paper airplane, airplane mode (on a phone).

Examples

• We flew to see Grandma in a big airplane. tree →
• The airplane took off from the runway. tree →
• I folded a paper airplane in class and it flew across the room. tree →
• In science we learned how wings help an airplane fly. tree →
• Put your phone in airplane mode during the flight. tree →
• The airplane landed safely in the storm. tree →
• My little brother wants to be an airplane pilot. tree →

Note

US spelling is airplane; British, Irish, Australian and New Zealand English usually say aeroplane, and everyone says plane. Use "an" (an airplane) because it starts with a vowel sound. Plural: airplanes. Travel phrase: "by plane", not "by the airplane".