flight

flight / flīt/ • n. 1. the action or process of flying through the air: an eagle in flight the history of space flight. ∎  an act of flying; a journey made through the air or in space, esp. a scheduled journey made by an airline: I got the first flight. ∎  the movement or trajectory of a projectile or ball through the air. ∎  [as adj.] relating to or denoting archery in which the main concern is shooting long distances: short, light flight arrows. ∎ poetic/lit. swift passage of time: the never-ending flight of future days. 2. a group of creatures or objects flying together, in particular: ∎  a flock or large body of birds or insects in the air, esp. when migrating: flights of Canada geese. ∎  a group of aircraft operating together, esp. an air force unit of about six aircraft: a refueling mission in which his crew topped off three flights of four F-16A jets. 3. the action of fleeing or attempting to escape: refugees on the latest stage of their flight from turmoil. 4. a series of steps between floors or levels: she has to come up four flights of stairs to her apartment. ∎  a series of hurdles across a racetrack. ∎  a closely spaced sequence of locks in a canal. 5. an extravagant or far-fetched idea or account: ignoring such ridiculous flights of fancy. 6. the tail of a dart. • v. [tr.] shoot (wildfowl) in flight: [as n.] (flighting) duck and geese flighting. PHRASES: in full flight escaping as fast as possible. ∎  having gained momentum in a run or activity: when this jazz pianist is in full flight he can be mesmerizing. take flight 1. (of a bird) take off and fly: the whole flock took flight | fig. my celebrityhood took flight. 2. flee: noise that would prompt a spooked horse to take flight.