preflight

1 of 3

adjective

pre·​flight ˈprē-ˌflīt How to pronounce preflight (audio)
: preparing for or preliminary to flight (as of an aircraft)
a preflight inspection

preflight

2 of 3

verb

preflighted; preflighting; preflights

transitive verb

: to inspect (an aircraft) before a flight

preflight

3 of 3

noun

: a preflight inspection of an aircraft

Examples of preflight in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
Meanwhile, Penn wakes up four hours preflight, works out, does laundry, gets gas (and gas station hot dogs) and boards last. — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026 Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded on that launch pad during a preflight test last month. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 19 June 2026
Noun
Arvin didn’t mention that his daughter and son-in-law were on board during his preflight remarks. — Francesca Street, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025 Meanwhile, Penn wakes up four hours preflight, works out, does laundry, gets gas (and gas station hot dogs) and boards last. — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preflight

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1942, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1945, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preflight was in 1942

Rhymes for preflight

See All Rhymes for preflight

Browse Nearby Words

preflame
preflight
preflood
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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