air traffic control
1. uncountable noun [oft NOUN noun]
Air traffic control is the activity of organizing the routes that aircraft should follow, and telling pilots by radio which routes they should take.
...the nation's overburdened air-traffic-control system.
2. uncountable noun [with singular or plural verb]
Air traffic control is the group of people who organize the routes aircraft take.
They have to wait for clearance from air traffic control.
air-traffic control in British English
noun
an organization that determines the altitude, speed, and direction at which planes fly in a given area, giving instructions to pilots by radio
Derived forms
air-traffic controller noun
air traffic control in American English
a coordinated system designed to manage air traffic safely around airports, along flight routes, etc.
Derived forms
air-traffic controller (ˈair-ˈtraffic controller) Image ofair traffic control
© Burben, shutterstock