flight

Universal Words noun, verb noun journey by air 1 [C] a journey made by air, especially in a plane: a smooth / comfortable / bumpy flight * a domestic / an international flight * a hot-air balloon flight * We met on a flight from London to Paris. * All flights between New York and Washington have been cancelled due to fog. seealsoIN-FLIGHT plane 2 [C] a plane making a particular journey: We're booked on the same flight. * Flight BA 4793 is now boarding at Gate 17. * If we leave now, I can catch the earlier flight. * mercy / relief flights (= planes taking help to countries where there is a war) flying 3 [U] the act of flying: the age of supersonic flight * flight safety * The bird is easily recognized in flight (= when it is flying) by the black band at the end of its tail. movement of object 4 [U] the movement or direction of an object as it travels through the air: the flight of a ball / dart / missile of steps 5 [C] a series of steps between two floors or levels: She fell down a flight of stairs / steps and hurt her back. running away 6 [U,sing.] the act of running away from a dangerous or difficult situation: the flight of refugees from the advancing forces * a flight from harsh reality * The main character is a journalist in flight from a failed marriage. of fancy / imagination 7 [C] ~ of fancy / imagination an idea or a statement that is very imaginative but not practical or sensible: This idea was one of my wilder flights of fancy. group of birds / aircraft 8 [C] a group of birds or aircraft flying together: a flight of geese * They flew in two flights of three aircraft. * an aircraft of the Queen's flight seealsoTOP-FLIGHT IDIOMS in the first / top flight among the best of a particular group: This is the team's first season back in the top flight for more than 60 years. put sb to flight (old-fashioned) to force sb to run away: The enemy was quickly put to flight. take flight to run away: The gang took flight when they heard the police car. verb [VN] [usuallypassive] (BrE, sport) to kick, hit or throw a ball through the air in a skilful way: He equalized with a beautifully flighted shot.