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.
Essentially, switching from kerosene to SAF can help reduce two sources of global warming—contrails and CO₂—simultaneously. Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 29 Apr. 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 Prince set up his camera to have the statue of the author in the Dana Point Harbor in the foreground as the rocket, with its long contrail, passed. Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 23 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

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Cite this Entry

“Contrail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contrail. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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

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