aircraft

The word “aircraft” means any vehicle capable of flying through the air, such as an airplane or helicopter. In plain terms, a general term for airplanes, helicopters, and similar flying vehicles.

“Aircraft” is pronounced EH-uh-krahft (/ˈɛɚ.kɹæft/ in IPA).

Here is “aircraft” used in a sentence: “The airport handles hundreds of aircraft each day.”

Words with a similar meaning to “aircraft” include aerocraft and flying machine.

“Aircraft” is a noun.

“Aircraft” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

Aircraft is the broad term for any machine that flies — including helicopters, gliders, airships, and drones. An airplane, or aeroplane, is one specific type: a powered aircraft with fixed wings. So every airplane is an aircraft, but not every aircraft is an airplane, since many fly without fixed wings.

The plural of aircraft is simply 'aircraft' — it stays the same whether you mean one or many, as in 'one aircraft, two aircraft.' The form 'aircrafts' is a common error and is not standard English. The word behaves like 'sheep' or 'series,' which also do not change.

Aircraft fall into two broad groups. Heavier-than-air types include airplanes, helicopters, gliders, and drones, which use wings or rotors to generate lift. Lighter-than-air types include hot-air balloons and airships, which float using gas. Each is built for different speeds, ranges, and purposes.

Common examples include passenger jets, private planes, helicopters, gliders, hot-air balloons, and drones. Any vehicle built to travel through the air under control counts as an aircraft, whether it carries hundreds of passengers across oceans or is small enough to fit in one hand.