spacecraft

noun

space·​craft ˈspās-ˌkraft How to pronounce spacecraft (audio)
: a vehicle or device designed for travel or operation outside the earth's atmosphere

Examples of spacecraft 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.
The tentative plan is for the spacecraft’s robotic arms to grasp solid metal panels on the corners of Swift. — Anna Y. Q. Ho, Scientific American, 29 June 2026 This specialized hardware is designed to securely connect spacecraft to orbital propellant depots. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026 All six remaining Atlas V rockets are set aside for Boeing’s Starliner, but that spacecraft does not have a solid return to flight yet. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2026 In the last two years, Rocket Lab has acquired both Geost and Mynaric to improve its spacecraft-building capabilities. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for spacecraft

Word History

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spacecraft was in 1929

Rhymes for spacecraft

See All Rhymes for spacecraft

Browse Nearby Words

space-charge effect
spacecraft
space curve
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

spacecraft

noun
space·​craft ˈspā-ˌskraft How to pronounce spacecraft (audio)
plural spacecraft
: a vehicle for travel beyond the earth's atmosphere

More from Merriam-Webster on spacecraft

Nglish: Translation of spacecraft for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spacecraft

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