contrail

noun

con·​trail ˈkän-ˌtrāl How to pronounce contrail (audio)
: streaks of condensed water vapor created in the air by an airplane or rocket at high altitudes

Examples of contrail 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.
Researchers are studying new liquid hydrocarbon chemistries that could improve fuel economy, reduce harmful aromatics, improve local air quality near airports, and limit contrail formation. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026 The airline industry remains one of the world’s largest transportation contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, and is responsible for releasing toxic amounts of carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, and contrails into the atmosphere every year. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 8 July 2026 The dragon’s tail on the Crew-13 patch wraps around Earth in a manner reminiscent of the blue contrail that connects Earth with the horses on the Apollo 13 insignia. — Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026 Like a jet plane leaving a contrail, a green line began to move across the sky and spread into dancing clouds. — Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contrail

Word History

Etymology

condensation trail

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contrail was in 1943

Rhymes for contrail

See All Rhymes for contrail

Browse Nearby Words

contrahierba
contrail
contraindicate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contrail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contrail. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

contrail

noun
con·​trail ˈkän-ˌtrāl How to pronounce contrail (audio)
: a stream of visible water or ice particles created in the air by an airplane or rocket at high altitudes

More from Merriam-Webster on contrail

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about contrail

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