spacecraft
gb/spˈeɪskɹˌæft/ us/spˈeɪskɹˌæft/
B2
English
~ 7600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
technical
B2
entity
1
Vehicle built for outer space
A vehicle that is made to work or travel in outer space, outside the air around the Earth.
Usage pattern:
a/an [adjective] spacecraft
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "spacecrafts" as the plural form. In most technical and common usage, "spacecraft" is both singular and plural (one spacecraft, two spacecraft). "Spacecrafts" is much less common and can sound nonstandard in scientific writing. Learners also confuse "spacecraft" and "spaceship"; "spacecraft" is the neutral, technical word, while "spaceship" is more informal and often used in science fiction.
Synonyms
space vehicle (More technical or formal; often used in scientific and engineering contexts.)
|
spaceship (More informal and imaginative; common in science fiction and everyday speech, often suggesting a craft for people rather than equipment.)
Antonyms
aircraft (An aircraft operates within Earth's atmosphere, while a spacecraft is designed to operate in outer space.)
Collocations
crewed spacecraft
|uncrewed spacecraft
|robotic spacecraft
|spacecraft design
|spacecraft systems
|spacecraft propulsion
Themes
science
|technology
|space
Examples
- The spacecraft entered Mars orbit after a seven‑month journey through deep space.
- Engineers are testing a new heat shield that will protect the spacecraft during reentry.
- The space agency plans to launch a crewed spacecraft to the Moon within the next decade.
- Data from the robotic spacecraft revealed evidence of liquid water beneath the moon’s icy surface.
- The damaged antenna prevented the spacecraft from sending images back to Earth.
Learner examples
- The spacecraft is now flying around Mars.
- Many people watched the spacecraft launch on live TV.
- This small spacecraft carries only cameras and scientific tools.
- Scientists use a spacecraft to study other planets.
- The new spacecraft will bring the astronauts home safely.
Grammar
Dictionary form
spacecraft
IPA
GB/spˈeɪskɹˌæft/
US/spˈeɪskɹˌæft/
Syllables & stress
space - craft (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (space)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: spacecraft
- Plural: spacecraft, spacecrafts
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.