- a system or organization that provides scheduled flights for passengers or cargo
- (as modifier): an airline pilot
- a hose or tube carrying air under pressure
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
air•line /ˈɛrˌlaɪn/USA pronunciation
n. [countable]
adj. [before a noun]
- Aeronauticsa company that owns or operates a system furnishing air transportation between specified points.
adj. [before a noun]
- of, for, or on an airline:an airline pilot.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
airline /ˈɛəˌlaɪn/ n
air-line
(âr′līn′),USA pronunciation adj.
air•line (âr′līn′),USA pronunciation n.
adj.
- straight;
direct;
traveling a direct route:Some railroads advertise air-line routes between stations.
- 1805–15, American.
air•line (âr′līn′),USA pronunciation n.
- Aeronautics
- a system furnishing air transport, usually scheduled, between specified points.
- the airplanes, airports, etc., of such a system.
- Often, airlines. a company that owns or operates such a system.
- a direct line;
beeline. - Mechanical Engineeringan airhose used to pipe air to a deep-sea diver, pneumatic drill, etc.
adj.
- of or on an airline.
- air1 + line1 1910–15
'airline' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
air rage
- APEX
- BALPA
- bucket shop
- e-book
- excess luggage
- flight
- Haji-Ioannou
- QANTAS
- stand by
- Viewdata
- air carrier
- air-line
- airliner
- air service
- airway
- baggage handler
- blackout
- bump
- bushline
- Civil Aeronautics Board
- coach
- cocktail lounge
- commuter
- corridor
- courtesy car
- day coach
- feeder line
- flight attendant
- frequent flier
- hostess
- interactive
- load factor
- night coach
- nonscheduled
- nonsked
- nonstop
- overbook
- red-eye
- reservationist
- rinky-dink
- robot
- sked
- skycap
- slot