The U.S. Air Force Dictionary is an indispensable dictionary for anyone wanting the definitions of military terms. One cannot rely only on the Department of Defense’s dictionary since it fails to include such ubiquitous terms as “fighter.” Here is a sample treatment from the U.S. Air Force Dictionary on how it treats this common word.

fighter, n. (ftr) specif. A fighter airplane. See F (abbr.) sense 2. fighter airplane. A combat airplane designed primarily for intercepting and destroying other aircraft in the air. Usually designed as a single-place airplane, fast, and maneuverable, the fighter airplane is also often used for escort and tactical operations. Also called a ‘pursuit airplane’ a fighter was formerly officially designated ‘pursuit’ (P).

‘Fighter’ although officially displacing ‘pursuit,’ is not adapted to use in the collective sense of ‘fighter aviation,’ or ‘fighter airplanes.’ See pursuit, n., sense 2. Where we once said, for example, ‘we were intercepted by enemy pursuit,’ we do not now say ‘we were intercepted by enemy fighter.’ Cf. scout, n. sense 2. Attrib., as in fighter assault, fighter attack, fighter aviation, fighter base, fighter crew, fighter group, fighter pilot, fighter squadron, etc. ‘Fighter’ also appears as the second element in combinations, as in all-weather fighter, day fighter, night fighter, etc. fighter airplane. A combat airplane designed primarily for intercepting and destroying other aircraft in the air. Usually designed as a single-place airplane, fast, and maneuverable, the fighter airplane is also often used for escort and tactical operations. Also called a ‘pursuit airplane’ a fighter was formerly officially designated ‘pursuit’ (P).

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