absolute ceiling

US/ˈæb.səˌlut ˈsi.lɪŋ/US/ˌæb.səˈljut ˈsi.lɪŋ/

noun

The maximum altitude above sea level that an aircraft or missile can maintain horizontal flight under normal conditions.

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Meanings

nounabsolute ceiling (plural absolute ceilings)

plural absolute ceilings · alternative ceiling

  1. aeronauticsThe maximum altitude above sea level that an aircraft or missile can maintain horizontal flight under normal conditions.

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 絕對升限 /绝对升限
  • 絕對升限 /绝对升限 (juéduì shēngxiàn)the maximum altitude above sea level that an aircraft or missile can maintain horizontal flight under normal conditions
Finnish absoluuttinen lakikorkeus
  • absoluuttinen lakikorkeusthe maximum altitude above sea level that an aircraft or missile can maintain horizontal flight under normal conditions
French plafond absolu
  • plafond absoluthe maximum altitude above sea level that an aircraft or missile can maintain horizontal flight under normal conditions
German maximale Gipfelhöhe
  • maximale Gipfelhöhethe maximum altitude above sea level that an aircraft or missile can maintain horizontal flight under normal conditions
Cite this entry
APA

absolute ceiling. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/absolute%20ceiling

MLA

“absolute ceiling.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/absolute%20ceiling. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “absolute ceiling,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/absolute%20ceiling.

Source: absolute ceiling on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.