Phrase guide

maiden flight

noun · 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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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The first flight of an airplane or other airborne vehicle, usually used to test or demonstrate the functions of the systems.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The manufacturer's CEO was confident enough to ride as a passenger on the airship's maiden flight.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

the first flight of its kind

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the Stealth bomber made its maiden flight in 1989

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: flight, flying

History

Etymology

See maiden (adjective).

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 首飛 /首飞 (shǒufēi) — the first flight of an airplane
  • Finnish: ensilento — the first flight of an airplane
  • German: Jungfernflug — the first flight of an airplane
  • Japanese: 初飛行 (hatsuhikō) — the first flight of an airplane
  • Polish: dziewiczy lot — the first flight of an airplane
  • Russian: пе́рвый полёт (pérvyj poljót) — the first flight of an airplane
  • Spanish: vuelo primerizo — the first flight of an airplane
  • Spanish: vuelo inaugural — the first flight of an airplane