fly-by

IPA/ˈflaɪ baɪ/
IPA/ˈflaɪ baɪ/

fly-by — noun

1. an organised event in which one or more aircraft fly over a public ceremony or c

1.nounB1
Definition

an organised event in which one or more aircraft fly over a public ceremony or celebration for the enjoyment of the watching crowd

Example

A group of fighter jets performed a fly-by over the stadium during the opening ceremony.

perform a fly-by over [location]

The air show ended with a dramatic fly-by from an old war plane.

Common collocations
  • perform a fly-by
  • fly-by over [event/place]
  • military fly-by
  • fly-by of [aircraft type]
Synonyms
  • flyover

    the standard American English term for the same concept

  • fly-past

    chiefly British English, especially in military contexts

  • air display

    a larger event with multiple demonstrations, not just a single pass

Usage Note

In American English this is often called a 'flyover'. In British English a 'fly-past' is also common, especially in military ceremonies.

Common Mistakes

We watched a fly-by of fireworks over the harbour.
We watched a fly-by of fighter jets over the stadium.
fly-by always refers to aircraft flight, not to fireworks or other displays.
A bird made a fly-by over the garden.
A plane made a fly-by over the garden.
fly-by is used only for aircraft and spacecraft, not for birds or animals.

2. a mission in which a spacecraft passes close to a planet, moon, or other object

2.nounB2
Definition

a mission in which a spacecraft passes close to a planet, moon, or other object in space in order to collect scientific information

Example

The space probe's fly-by of Mars sent back detailed images of the planet's surface.

fly-by of [celestial body] (Mars, Jupiter, Pluto)

Scientists planned a fly-by of Jupiter to study the gas giant's rings.

Common collocations
  • fly-by of [planet/moon/asteroid]
  • make a fly-by
  • during the fly-by
  • spacecraft fly-by
Synonyms
  • pass

    less specific; refers to any close approach without emphasising data collection

Usage Note

The hyphen is often dropped in scientific and technical writing, making the spelling 'flyby' one word.

Common Mistakes

The fly-by of the shopping mall was beautiful.
The fly-by of the spacecraft over Mars was successful.
fly-by in this sense refers only to space missions, not to aircraft or any other flying object.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Fly-by, flyover, and fly-past all describe aircraft flying over an event for display purposes. Fly-by is used in both American and British English. Flyover is the standard American term — a US news report will say a 'flyover of military jets', not a 'fly-by'. Fly-past is mainly British English and is common in military contexts such as the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London. Air display and air show refer to larger events with multiple demonstrations — aerobatics, static exhibits, and ground entertainment — rather than a single pass over a location. For example: 'The air show lasted all weekend and featured an impressive fly-past by the Red Arrows.'

flyover ↗fly-past ↗air displayair show ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • make a fly-by
  • perform a fly-by
  • during a fly-by

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'fly-by' is a compound formed from the verb 'fly' (from Old English 'fleogan', meaning to move through the air) and the preposition 'by' (from Old English 'bī', meaning near or close to). It first appeared in the mid-20th century, originally referring to aircraft displays at ceremonies, and was later adopted by the space industry for missions where a spacecraft passes close to a planet or other celestial body.