aviator

noun

ˈā-vē-ˌā-tər How to pronounce aviator (audio)
Definition of aviatornext
as in pilot
one who flies or is qualified to fly an aircraft or spacecraft the solo flight from New York to Paris by the aviator Charles Lindbergh captured the imagination of people around the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of aviator The brand is known for iconic models like the Portugieser, originally made in the 1930s for two Portuguese merchants, and the Big Pilot, created for aviators in the 1940s. — Frances Solá-Santiago, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026 Premiering in May 2027, the film will profile its namesake, the controversial aviator who helmed the first uninterrupted solo flight across the Atlantic. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026 On the nonfiction side, World War II women aviators called Atta-Girls! — Monitor Reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 23 July 2026 Past air shows have gone horribly wrong when military aviators have cut their margins too close. — Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for aviator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aviator
pilot
Noun
  • Chaparral flew without a pilot onboard while operating under Air Traffic Control oversight, demonstrating its ability to conduct cargo missions within the National Airspace System.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The common name pilot black snake is a misnomer, stemming from an old belief that the black rat snake led rattlesnakes and other snake species to favorable overwintering sites.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of pilot

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aviation
aviator
aviator glasses
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Cite this Entry

“Aviator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aviator. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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