Standard Lemma guide

flyby

noun · 5 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

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈflaɪˌbaɪ/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -aɪbaɪ
  • CMU ARPABET: F L AY1 B AY2 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A flight past a celestial object in order to make observations.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The upcoming flyby of Halley's comet is expected to provide new information on the nature of the comet.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A low-level ceremonial flight, typically in connection with an airshow or a military parade.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: flypast, flyover

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A brief visit.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

A sailby performed by a hydrofoil vessel while hydrofoiling.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: nautical, transport

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

A three-dimensional animated sequence in which the camera moves past an object or scenery.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: computer-graphics, computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Deverbal from fly by.

Across languages

Translations

23 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 飛掠 /飞掠 (fēilüè) — flight past celestial object
  • Finnish: ohilento — flight past celestial object
  • French: survol — flight past celestial object
  • Galician: sobrevoo — flight past celestial object
  • German: Vorbeiflug — flight past celestial object
  • Italian: volo ravvicinato — flight past celestial object
  • Italian: sorvolo — flight past celestial object
  • Italian: passaggio ravvicinato — flight past celestial object
  • Malay: lintas terbang — flight past celestial object
  • Norwegian: passering — flight past celestial object
  • Polish: przelot — flight past celestial object
  • Russian: пролёт (proljót) — flight past celestial object
  • Spanish: sobrevuelo — flight past celestial object
  • Turkish: yanından geçme — flight past celestial object
  • Ukrainian: пролі́т (prolít) — flight past celestial object
  • Finnish: ylilento — ceremonial low-level flight
  • Galician: sobrevoo — ceremonial low-level flight
  • German: Tiefflug — ceremonial low-level flight
  • Italian: sorvolo — ceremonial low-level flight
  • Polish: przelot — ceremonial low-level flight
  • Russian: пролёт (proljót) — ceremonial low-level flight
  • Spanish: sobrevuelo — ceremonial low-level flight
  • Turkish: alçaktan uçuş — ceremonial low-level flight