spacecraft

noun

space·​craft ˈspās-ˌkraft How to pronounce spacecraft (audio)
: a vehicle or device designed for travel or operation outside the earth's atmosphere

Examples of spacecraft 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.
Though the spacecraft seemed to work alright, the crew got a little snippy during their 11 days in space. — Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 11 Oct. 2026 Plush toys have long served as soft zero-g indicators for spaceflight missions, drifting freely to signal the instant a spacecraft enters weightlessness. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026 The Orion spacecraft that was part of the historic Artemis II lunar mission earlier this year was designed and engineered at Lockheed Martin in Jefferson County. — Donovan Henderson, Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2026 While working to develop critical onboard software for the spacecraft — both command modules and lunar landers — that completed NASA’s historic Apollo flights — Hamilton is credited with making the system more robust and accident-resistant. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spacecraft

Word History

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spacecraft was in 1929

Rhymes for spacecraft

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Browse Nearby Words

space-charge effect
spacecraft
space curve
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Cite this Entry

“Spacecraft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spacecraft. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spacecraft

noun
space·​craft ˈspā-ˌskraft How to pronounce spacecraft (audio)
plural spacecraft
: a vehicle for travel beyond the earth's atmosphere

More from Merriam-Webster on spacecraft

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spacecraft

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