air force

noun

1
: the military organization of a nation for air warfare
2
: a unit of the U.S. Air Force higher than a division and lower than a command

Examples of air force in a Sentence

the combined allied air forces
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.
European Council President António Costa, as well as the heads of nearly a dozen European nations, was also in Kyiv, despite the country’s air force reporting Russian rocket and drone strikes overnight. — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026 Nor did an air war against Britain using a superior air force, V-1s and V-2s force Britain to surrender. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026 The air force did not say whether any ballistic missiles were shot down. — David Brennan, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 Explosions boomed across Kyiv in the dark, but the air force said hits were recorded at 28 locations across the country. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for air force

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of air force was in 1911

Browse Nearby Words

airfoil
air force
air force blue
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Air force.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/air%20force. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

air force

noun
: the military organization of a nation for air warfare

More from Merriam-Webster on air force

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about air force

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