1. the speed of an aircraft relative to the air through which it is moving
Usage: aviation

Examples

• The pilot checked the airspeed indicator before takeoff.
• The aircraft maintained an airspeed of 250 knots during cruise.
• Low airspeed can cause a plane to stall.
• The fighter jet’s maximum airspeed exceeded 1,200 mph.
• Air traffic control requested the pilot to reduce airspeed for landing.
• The instructor taught students how to calculate true airspeed from indicated airspeed.