flight

¹

[flahyt]

noun

1. the act, manner, or power of flying.

2. the distance covered or the course taken by a flying object.

   a 500-mile flight; the flight of the ball.

3. a trip by an airplane, glider, etc.

4. a scheduled trip on an airline.

   a 5 o'clock flight.

5. a number of beings or things flying or passing through the air together.

   a flight of geese.

   Synonyms: flock

6. the basic tactical unit of military air forces, consisting of two or more aircraft.

7. the act, principles, or technique of flying an airplane.

   flight training.

8. a journey into or through outer space.

   a rocket flight.

9. swift movement, transition, or progression.

   the flight of time.

   Synonyms: dash, rush

10. a soaring above or transcending ordinary bounds.

    a flight of fancy.

11. a series of steps between one floor or landing of a building and the next.

12. a sampling of several wines or beers, or of a particular type of food, for the purpose of comparative tasting.

    a customized wine flight for four people; a flight of appetizers.

13. Archery.

    1. flight arrow.

    2. the distance such an arrow travels when shot.

verb (used without object)

1. (of wild fowls) to fly in coordinated flocks.

flight

²

[flahyt]

noun

1. an act or instance of fleeing or running away; hasty departure.

flight

¹

/ flaɪt /

noun

1. the act, skill, or manner of flying

2. a journey made by a flying animal or object

3. 1. a scheduled airline journey

   2. an aircraft flying on such a journey

4. a group of flying birds or aircraft

   a flight of swallows

5. the basic tactical unit of a military air force

6. a journey through space, esp of a spacecraft

7. rapid movement or progress

8. a soaring mental journey above or beyond the normal everyday world

   a flight of fancy

9. 1. a single line of hurdles across a track in a race

   2. a series of such hurdles

10. a bird's wing or tail feather; flight feather

11. a feather or plastic attachment fitted to an arrow or dart to give it stability in flight

12. See flight arrow

13. the distance covered by a flight arrow

14. sport cricket

    1. a flighted movement imparted to a ball, dart, etc

    2. the ability to flight a ball

15. angling a device on a spinning lure that revolves rapidly

16. a set of steps or stairs between one landing or floor and the next

17. a large enclosed area attached to an aviary or pigeon loft where the birds may fly but not escape

verb

1. (tr) sport to cause (a ball, dart, etc) to float slowly or deceptively towards its target

2. (intr) (of wild fowl) to fly in groups

3. (tr) to shoot (a bird) in flight

4. (tr) to fledge (an arrow or a dart)

flight

²

/ flaɪt /

noun

1. the act of fleeing or running away, as from danger

2. to cause to run away; rout

3. to run away or withdraw hastily; flee

Word History and Origins

Origin of flight¹

First recorded in before 900; Middle English; Old English flyht; cognate with Dutch vlucht; akin to fly ²

Origin of flight²

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English flight, flught, flyte, Old English fliht, flyht; cognate with German Flucht; akin to flee

Word History and Origins

Origin of flight¹

Old English flyht ; related to Middle Dutch vlucht , Old Saxon fluht

Origin of flight²

Old English flyht (unattested); related to Old Frisian flecht , Old High German fluht , Old Norse flōtti

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. put to flight, to force to flee or run away; rout.

   She succeeded in putting the intruder to flight.

2. take flight, to retreat; run away; flee: Also take to flight.

   The wild animals took flight before the onrushing fire.

More idioms and phrases containing flight

• put to flight
• take flight

Example Sentences

Spirit Airlines is canceling flight services in 12 U.S. cities, including all airports in Northern California.

From Los Angeles Times

"Our defence is pretty good and I'll have my wings chasing back and helping out, but when they break the line it's fight or flight."

From BBC

After a weeklong excursion in the “Land of the Rising Sun,” a flight to Honolulu followed for a game against the San Francisco 49ers at the newly built Aloha Stadium.

From Los Angeles Times

After making the short flight from Los Angeles on Friday, the team was scheduled to tour Allegiant Stadium in what will be most players’ introduction to the massive 61,500-seat facility that opened in 2020.

From Los Angeles Times

When eaglets take flight from their nest for the first time, they often return for the next few days or weeks as they learn the ropes, Steers said in an interview.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arrival 
• departure 
• shuttle 
• transport 
• trip