a|ër|o

aer|o or a|ër|o «AIR oh», adjective.

1. of or having to do with aviation or flying; aeronautical.

2. of or for aircraft: »

…the success of the industry in selling airliners and aero engines abroad (Observer).

aero- or aëro-,

combining form.

1. air; the air; of the air: »

Aeroplane = airplane. Aerometer = air meter.

2. atmosphere; atmospheric: »

Aerospace = space in the atmosphere. Aerology = science of the atmosphere.

3. gas; of gas or gases: »

Aerodynamics = dynamics of gases.

4. of or for aircraft: »

Aerobatics = aircraft acrobatics. Aerodrome = landing field for aircraft.

╂[< Greek ā, āéros air]

Usage aero-. When the combining form aero- was new in English, it was usually pronounced in three syllables as AY uh roh- or AY uhr uh-, and the form aëro- was preferred in many words because it clearly indicated these pronunciations. With the frequent use of the many words containing it, however, it has come to be pronounced AIR oh- or AIR uh- rather generally in both North America and Great Britain, and the spelling aëro- has become rare.