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
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Adjective
The Transportation Security Administration has decided that air travelers no longer have to yank off their shoes before going through preflight security screening. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2025 Both pilots had an adequate rest period before the flight, underwent preflight breath analyzer tests and were deemed fit to fly, the report states. Tribune News Service, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025
Noun
Backed by billionaire Jared Isaacman, the Polaris Program's inaugural mission was originally scheduled for an Aug. 26 launch, which was delayed for additional preflight checks, and then delayed again due to unfavorable launch and return conditions. Julian Dossett, Space.com, 28 Dec. 2024 The first delay came when SpaceX moved the launch window back from Aug. 26 to Aug. 27 to give teams more time to complete preflight checks. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2024 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preflight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preflight. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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