1the action or process of flying through the air:an eagle in flightthe history of space flight
an act of flying; a journey made through the air or in space, especially a scheduled journey made by an airline:I got the first flight
the movement or trajectory of a projectile or ball through the air.
[as modifier] relating to or denoting archery in which the main concern is shooting long distances:short, light flight arrows
literary swift passage of time:the never-ending flight of future days
2a group of creatures or objects flying together, in particular.
a flock or large body of birds or insects in the air, especially when migrating:flights of Canada geese
a group of aircraft operating together, especially an air force unit of about six aircraft:a refueling mission in which his crew topped off three flights of four F-16A jets
3the action of fleeing or attempting to escape:refugees on the latest stage of their flight from turmoil
4a series of steps between floors or levels:she has to come up four flights of stairs to her apartment
a series of hurdles across a racetrack.
a closely spaced sequence of locks in a canal.
5an extravagant or far-fetched idea or account:ignoring such ridiculous flights of fancy
6the tail of a dart.
1shoot (wildfowl) in flight: (as noun flighting)duck and geese flighting
2British (in soccer, cricket, etc.) deliver (a ball) with well-judged trajectory and pace:he flighted a free kick into the box
in full flight
escaping as fast as possible.
having gained momentum in a run or activity:when this jazz pianist is in full flight he can be mesmerizing
put someone/something to flight
cause someone or something to flee:a soldier who held off, and eventually put to flight, waves of attackers
1(of a bird) take off and fly:the whole flock took flight figurativeshe entered the company after a year’s apprenticeship, and her career took flight
2flee:noise that would prompt a spooked horse to take flight
Old Englishflyht 'action or manner of flying', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vlucht and fly1. This was probably merged in Middle English with an unrecorded Old English word related to German Flucht and to flee, which is represented by sense 3 of the noun