aeronautics

1 of 2

noun

aero·​nau·​tics ˌer-ə-ˈnȯ-tiks How to pronounce aeronautics (audio)
-ˈnä-
plural in form but singular in construction
Synonyms of aeronauticsnext
1
: a science dealing with the operation of aircraft
2
: the art or science of flight
aeronautical
ˌer-ə-ˈnȯ-ti-kəl How to pronounce aeronautics (audio)
-ˈnä-
adjective
or less commonly aeronautic
ˌer-ə-ˈnȯ-tik How to pronounce aeronautics (audio)
-ˈnä-
aeronautically
ˌer-ə-ˈnȯ-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce aeronautics (audio)
-ˈnä-
adverb

aeronautical

2 of 2

adjective

aero·​nau·​ti·​cal ˌer-ə-ˈnȯ-ti-kəl How to pronounce aeronautical (audio) -ˈnä- How to pronounce aeronautical (audio)
variants or aeronautic
ˌer-ə-ˈnȯ-tik How to pronounce aeronautical (audio)
-ˈnä-
: of or relating to aeronautics
aeronautically
ˌer-ə-ˈnȯ-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce aeronautical (audio)
-ˈnä-
adverb

Word History

Etymology

Noun

aeronautic "of or relating to the art or science of flight" (borrowed from New Latin aëronauticus, from Greek aero- aero- + nautikós "of ships, of seafaring") + -ics — more at nautical

Adjective

aeronautical expansion of aeronautic after nautical; aeronautic borrowed from New Latin aëronauticus, from Greek aero- aero- + nautikós "of ships, of seafaring"

First Known Use

Noun

1798, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1754, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aeronautics was in 1754

Rhymes for aeronautics

See All Rhymes for aeronautics

Browse Nearby Words

aeronautical station
aeronautics
aeronaval
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aeronautics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aeronautics. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

aeronautics

noun
aero·​nau·​tics ˌar-ə-ˈnȯt-iks How to pronounce aeronautics (audio)
ˌer-
1
: a science dealing with the operation of aircraft
2
: the art or science of flight
aeronautical
-ˈnȯt-i-kəl How to pronounce aeronautics (audio)
adjective
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