Definition

Noun: - An airfield equipped with a control tower, hangars, and facilities for passengers and cargo. It is a shortened, informal form of the word "aerodrome."

Usage

The word "drome" is a clipped or shortened form, primarily used in informal or technical contexts to refer to an airport or airfield. It is not as common in everyday modern English as "airport" or "airfield."

Examples

• Noun:
  • The small plane landed at a remote drome in the countryside.
  • The cargo was unloaded quickly at the military drome.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often seen in compound names or historical contexts, such as "helidrome" (for helicopters) or in the names of specific older airfields.
• It can imply a focus on the operational aspects of an airfield rather than the commercial passenger facilities associated with a major "airport."

Variants and Related Words

• Aerodrome (n): The full, standard term for an airfield. This is the word from which "drome" is derived.
• Airdrome (n): A variant spelling and term, common in American English, with the same meaning as aerodrome.

Synonyms

• Airfield: A general area where aircraft can take off and land.
• Airstrip: A basic, often unpaved runway with minimal facilities.
• Airport: A larger, commercial aerodrome with extensive passenger and cargo terminals.

Notes on Meaning

• Core Meaning: The core meaning is an area of land and buildings used for aircraft operations. The inclusion of a control tower, hangars, and accommodations in the definition distinguishes a "drome" from a simple, bare airstrip.
• Informal/Technical Use: Its use as a standalone word ("drome") is informal. The formal terms are "aerodrome" or "airfield."

Noun

1. an airfield equipped with control tower and hangars as well as accommodations for passengers and cargo