Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

ornithopter

noun

/ɔːrˈnɪθɒptər/

Definition

An ornithopter is a type of aircraft that flies by flapping its wings, mimicking the way birds and insects fly.

Examples

The engineer designed an ornithopter that could mimic the flight of a hummingbird.
Research into ornithopters has advanced significantly in recent years, leading to more efficient designs.
In the film, the hero used an ornithopter to escape from danger.

Meaning

The term ‘ornithopter’ comes from the Greek words ‘ornithos,’ meaning bird, and ‘pteron,’ meaning wing. It refers to any flying device with wings that moves by flapping.