airspace
gb/ˈɛɹspˌeɪs/ us/ˈɛɹspˌeɪs/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
controlled sky above a place
the sky above a country or place where aircraft are officially controlled
Usage pattern:
[country/place] airspace; airspace over/above [place]
Common mistake:
Airspace is usually uncountable. Say “in French airspace” or “over French airspace,” not “in a French airspace.”
Synonyms
sky (more general and not necessarily legally controlled)
|
aerial territory (more formal and emphasizes national sovereignty)
Collocations
national airspace
|sovereign airspace
|controlled airspace
|restricted airspace
|enter airspace
|violate airspace
|close airspace
|reopen airspace
|airspace restrictions
|airspace management
Themes
aviation
|law
|transport
|government
Examples
- The plane was denied permission to enter French airspace.
- Several countries closed their airspace to the airline after the incident.
- Military jets were sent to patrol the country's airspace.
Learner examples
- The aircraft entered Canadian airspace.
- The airport closed its airspace because of a drone.
Noun
legal
C1
entity
2
space above land or buildings
the space above land or a building, sometimes treated as something a person can own or sell
Usage pattern:
airspace above/over [property/building]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse this with ordinary indoor space; in real estate, airspace usually means the space above a property.
Synonyms
space above a property (plain descriptive phrase rather than a legal term)
|
development rights (refers to the legal rights to build, not the physical space itself)
Antonyms
subsurface rights (rights relating to what is below the land rather than above it)
Collocations
airspace rights
|unused airspace
|rooftop airspace
|develop the airspace
|sell airspace
|transfer airspace rights
|airspace above a building
|airspace over a property
Themes
real_estate
|law
|business
|urban_planning
Examples
- The developer bought the airspace above the old station to build apartments.
- The city allows owners to sell unused airspace to neighboring buildings.
- Disputes over airspace can delay major construction projects.
Learner examples
- The company bought the airspace above the building.
- Airspace rights can be valuable in a crowded city.
Noun
B2
entity
3
clear space for movement
the area of air around something that it uses or needs
Usage pattern:
[someone's/something's] airspace; share airspace with [something]
Common mistake:
This use is often slightly figurative or situational; for people, “personal space” is more common than “personal airspace.”
Synonyms
space (more general and can refer to land, air, or personal distance)
|
clearance (emphasizes enough room to avoid contact or collision)
|
personal space (used specifically for the comfortable distance around a person)
Collocations
clear airspace
|crowded airspace
|shared airspace
|give someone airspace
|keep out of the airspace
|airspace around a plane
|airspace near an airport
Themes
aviation
|movement
|safety
|daily_life
Examples
- Birds and aircraft often share airspace near busy airports.
- The drone flew too close and entered the helicopter's airspace.
- Please give the performer some airspace while she moves across the stage.
Learner examples
- The drone was in the plane's airspace.
- Give me a little airspace, please.
Grammar
Dictionary form
airspace
IPA
GB/ˈɛɹspˌeɪs/
US/ˈɛɹspˌeɪs/
Syllables & stress
air - space (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (air)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: airspace
- Plural: airspace, airspaces
Expressions
airspace rights
1/ˈɛɹspˌeɪs ɹˈaɪts/
fixed phrase
legal
rights to space above property
legal rights connected with using or building in the space above a property
Examples
- The developer purchased airspace rights from the church next door.
- In dense cities, airspace rights can be worth millions of dollars.
- The project was delayed by a dispute over airspace rights.
close airspace
1/klˈoʊs ˈɛɹspˌeɪs/
fixed phrase
ban flights temporarily
to officially stop planes from using an area of sky
Examples
- The government closed its airspace to Russian aircraft.
- The airport closed the surrounding airspace after a drone was spotted.
- Several countries closed their airspace because of the volcanic ash cloud.
controlled airspace
1/kəntɹˈoʊld ˈɛɹspˌeɪs/
fixed phrase
technical
airspace managed by controllers
airspace where air traffic controllers guide and control aircraft
Examples
- Small aircraft need clearance before entering controlled airspace.
- The flight instructor explained the rules for operating in controlled airspace.
- Most airspace around major airports is controlled airspace.
personal airspace
1/pˈɚsənəl ˈɛɹspˌeɪs/
fixed phrase
informal
personal space around someone
the space around your body that you do not want other people to get too close to
Examples
- Back up a little—you are in my personal airspace.
- She hates crowded trains because strangers keep invading her personal airspace.
- The comedian joked that toddlers have no respect for personal airspace.
restricted airspace
1/ɹistɹˈɪktɪd ˈɛɹspˌeɪs/
fixed phrase
area with flight limits
a part of the sky where flying is limited or not allowed
Examples
- The pilot accidentally entered restricted airspace near the military base.
- Drones are banned in restricted airspace around the airport.
- The stadium was placed under restricted airspace during the event.
violate airspace
1/vˈaɪəleɪt ˈɛɹspˌeɪs/
fixed phrase
formal
enter airspace illegally
to fly into a country’s or restricted area’s sky without permission
Examples
- The fighter jet was accused of violating the neighboring country's airspace.
- Authorities said the drone had violated restricted airspace near the palace.
- The airline denied that its aircraft had violated any national airspace.