Standard Lemma guide

cruise-climb

noun · verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

An instance of cruise-climbing.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: aeronautics, aerospace, aviation, business, engineering, natural-sciences, physical-sciences

Examples

  • A cruise-climb is more efficient than the standard step climb, but is rarely used since it's much harder for ATC to manage.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To slowly but continuously climb during cruise flight as the aircraft's weight decreases due to fuel burnoff (done because flight at higher altitudes is more efficient but requires a lighter aircraft).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive, usually

Topics: aeronautics, aerospace, aviation, business, engineering, natural-sciences, physical-sciences

Examples

  • For a transatlantic crossing, the Concorde would be assigned a ~15,000-foot block of altitude; it started out at flight level 450 and gradually cruise-climbed up to between FL570 and FL600 over the mid-Atlantic before beginning to descend.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.