airport

The word “airport” means a facility with runways and terminals where aircraft take off, land, and where passengers and cargo are handled. In plain terms, the place where planes land and take off, and where passengers check in, go through security, and board.

“Airport” is pronounced EH-uh-pawt (/ˈɛɹ.pɔɹt/ in IPA).

Here is “airport” used in a sentence: “We arrived at the airport three hours before our flight.”

“Airport” is a noun.

“Airport” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

An airport is a full facility with terminals, runways, and services for handling passengers and cargo on scheduled flights. An airfield is simpler, an area with a runway or landing strip but few or no passenger facilities. Every airport is an airfield, but many airfields are far too basic to be called airports.

The key areas are the runways where aircraft take off and land, the terminal where passengers check in and board, the apron or ramp where planes park, and the control tower that directs traffic. Larger airports add taxiways, hangars, baggage systems, and cargo depots to handle greater volumes.

A domestic airport handles flights that stay within one country, so it needs no customs or immigration facilities. An international airport handles flights crossing borders and therefore includes customs, immigration, and often larger terminals. Many big airports serve both roles at once from separate terminals or areas.

Airports connect cities and countries, making long-distance travel and global trade possible in hours rather than days. They move passengers, freight, and mail, support tourism, and act as major local employers. For many regions, a well-connected airport is a key driver of business and economic growth.