flight Hear it!

flight¹ Definition

flight (flīt)

noun

  1. the act, manner, or power of flying or moving through space
  2. the distance covered or that can be covered at one time by an airplane, bird, projectile, etc.
  3. a group of things flying through the air together a flight of birds, arrows, etc.
    1. a military flight formation
    2. the smallest tactical unit in an air force; specif., in the U.S. Air Force, a subdivision of a squadron
  5. an airplane scheduled to fly a certain route at a certain time
  6. a trip by airplane or spacecraft
  7. an outburst or soaring above the ordinary a flight of fancy
  8. a set of stairs, as between landings or floors
  9. a flight arrow
  10. Sports a division of contestants grouped according to ability

Etymology: ME fliht < OE flyht (akin to OS fluht, Du vlucht) < base of fleogan, fly

intransitive verb

to fly in numbers: said of birds

flight¹ Idioms

take flight

to take wing, take off, etc.; become airborne and fly

flight² Definition

flight (flīt)

noun

a fleeing from or as from danger

Etymology: ME fliht, fluht < OE flyht < base of fleon, flee

flight² Idioms

put to flight

to force to flee

take (to) flight

to run away; flee

flight Synonyms

flight

n.

  1. Act of remaining aloft

    flying, soaring, winging, gliding, volitation, hovering, cruising.

  2. Travel by air

    aviation, aerial navigation, aeronautics, flying, space flight, air transport, stratospheric travel, space probe, ballooning, hang gliding, sailplaning, trip by air, hop*, hedgehopping*.

  3. Flight conceived figuratively

    effort, inspiration, sublime conception; see fancy 2, imagination 1.

  4. Act of fleeing

    fleeing, running away, retreating; see escape 1, retreat 1.

  5. Stairs

    steps, staircase, ascent; see stairs.

put to flight

chase away, rout, scatter, scare off; see defeat 1, 2, rout.

take (to) flight

flee, run away, fly, decamp; see escape, leave 1, retreat 1.

flight Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • stair: Flights of stairs lead to the upper floors, otherwise they are reached via a lift, which has Braille controls.
  • fancy: RRP: £ 75 A real flight of fancy!

Converse of object

  • schedule: Worldwide, the number of scheduled flights is fairly stable, with a 1 % growth recorded year on year.
  • connect: You may either catch a connecting flight to Edinburgh or use the rail link.
  • operate: Special Meals Dietary meals may be ordered on flights operated by SWISS, provided meal service is offered.

Adjective modifier

  • cheap: Flight to New York, cheap flight to New York.. .
  • long-haul: Like all our long-haul flights, passengers will get personal inflight entertainment, food, a complimentary newspaper and a free bar service.
  • scheduled: At present, these types of smaller aircraft are under less strict security than scheduled flights.
  • non-stop: Meals: B DAY 11 Morning non-stop flight by EgyptAir to London Heathrow, arriving in the early afternoon.
  • transatlantic: Classes of Service Offered Flights operated by SWISS offer First Class, Business Class and Economy Class service on all transatlantic flights.
  • onward: You will be transferred to Perth Airport to connect with your onward flight.

Modifies a noun

  • attendant: A flight attendant was stationed at the departure gate to check tickets.
  • deck: We went up to the flight deck shortly afterward to observe the arrival in Plymouth.
  • sim: This is a flight sim with a 63 year-old soul.

Noun used with modifier

  • charter: Most European countries have charter flights directly to Sharm El Sheikh Airport, for considerably fair prices.. .
  • helicopter: There are even helicopter flights from Penzance to see the lights from the sky.
  • haul: Long haul flights for London Luton SWE, the Swedish airline launched its thrice weekly flights to Lahore, Pakistan in June.
  • balloon: All purchases of a voucher for a hot air balloon flight experience must be made on our standard booking form.
  • return: Day 8 Return flight to London which reaches Heathrow later the same day.
  • rendition: See Holyrood.com report PQs and Motions New Written Answers published today include health ( eye operations ) and torture / rendition flights.
flight Quotes

And we are here as on a darkling plain Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight, Where ignorant armies clash by night.

—Arnold, Matthew

It wasn't by accident that the Gettysburg address was so short. The laws of prose writing are as immutable as those of flight, of mathematics, of physics.

—Hemingway, Ernest Millar

Dark and terrible beyond any season within my remembrance of political affairs was the day of their flight.Far darkerand moreterrible will be the dayof their return.

—1st Baron

Meanwhile the Adversary of God and man, Satan with thoughts inflamed of highest design, Puts on swift wings, and towards the gates of hell Explores his solitary flight.

—Milton,John

Caged birds accept each other but flight is what they long for.

—Williams,TennesseeThomas Lanier

Who shall tempt with wand'ring feet The dark unbottomed infinite abyss And through the palpable obscure find out His uncouth way, or spread his aery flight Upborne with indefatigable wings Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive The happy isle.

—Milton,John

Death will come when thou art dead, Soon, too soonö Sleep will come when thou art fled; Of neither would I ask the boon I ask of thee, belove'  d Nightö Swift be thine approaching flight, Come soon, soon!

—Shelley, Percy Bysshe

Swiftly walk o'er the western wave, Spirit of Night! Out of the misty eastern cave, Where, all the long and lone daylight, Thou wovest dreams of joyand fear, Which make thee terrible and dear, Swift be thy flight!

—Shelley, Percy Bysshe

Here are sweet peas, on tiptoe for a flight, With wings of gentle flush o'er delicate white.

—Keats,John