warplane

noun

war·​plane ˈwȯr-ˌplān How to pronounce warplane (audio)
: a military airplane
specifically : one armed for combat

Examples of warplane 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.
Indian state-run Aeronautical Development Agency, which is executing the program, will shortly invite initial interest from defense firms for developing a prototype of the warplane, envisaged as a twin-engine 5th generation fighter, the ministry said. Reuters, CNN Money, 27 May 2025 Dozens of Russian warplanes were recently spotted at the Olenya air base, also in the Arctic and fewer than 100 miles from the Finnish border, according to the satellite imagery. Johanna Lemola, New York Times, 19 May 2025 India carried out airstrikes in Pakistani territory, and Pakistan shot down an Indian warplane and captured the pilot, later releasing him. Munir Ahmed, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2025 The future, chock-full of super-stealth warplanes, blinding-fast missiles and network-crippling hacks, will also feature aerostats — specialty blimps, for the uninitiated. Colin Demarest, Axios, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for warplane

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of warplane was circa 1911

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Warplane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warplane. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on warplane

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!