Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Aviation has 5 different meanings across 1 category:
the operation of aircraft to provide transportation
"The new airport is expected to boost local aviation by connecting our city to major international hubs."
the art of operating aircraft
"The young engineer spent her entire summer learning the intricate details of aviation from a seasoned pilot at the airfield."
travel via aircraft
"air travel involves too much waiting in airports"
"if you've time to spare go by air"
The art or science of making and flying aircraft.
"Her career path shifted from engineering to aviation when she realized her passion lay in designing planes rather than just operating them."
In plain English: Aviation is the activity of flying aircraft through the air.
"The local airport is a major hub for commercial aviation in the region."
Usage: Use aviation to refer collectively to the industry, activities, and infrastructure surrounding air travel, such as commercial flights or private pilots. Avoid using it to describe a specific airplane or a single flight event.
The word aviation entered English directly from French, where it was formed by combining the Latin root avis, meaning "bird," with a suffix indicating action or process. While its components literally suggest something related to birds flying, the term specifically refers to the science and practice of flight in machines.