Travel / B1

AIRKR-ahft/ˈeəkrɑːft/

An aircraft is a plane, helicopter, or other flying vehicle. Plane / aeroplane (UK) is the everyday word for a typical passenger jet; aircraft is the technical or news word and can include helicopters. The plural is usually aircraft, not aircrafts. Military aircraft and passenger aircraft are typical collocations. Do not use aircraft for a paper plane or a drone in careful B1 writing unless the text is technical.

Meaning

A plane, helicopter, or other vehicle that flies.

Examples

• “The aircraft landed safely in the storm.”
• “Two military aircraft flew over the coast during the exercise.”
• “Passenger aircraft must meet strict safety checks before take-off.”

Good to know

Plural: aircraft (not aircrafts). Everyday: plane / aeroplane. Includes helicopters. News/technical register.

Near in meaning

plane, aeroplane

Topics

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