space travel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “space travel” mean?
The act or technology of traveling beyond Earth's atmosphere, especially into outer space.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act or technology of traveling beyond Earth's atmosphere, especially into outer space.
The concept, industry, or experience of human or robotic journeys through space, encompassing tourism, exploration, and scientific missions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling of related compounds may follow regional norms (e.g., 'space traveller' vs. 'space traveler').
Connotations
Identical connotations. Historically associated with national space programs; now increasingly with private enterprise and tourism.
Frequency
Comparable frequency. Slight uptick in US media due to prominence of domestic private space companies.
Grammar
How to Use “space travel” in a Sentence
Noun + of + space travel (dangers of space travel)Adjective + space travel (routine space travel)Space travel + verb (space travel requires...)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “space travel” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The company aims to space-travel to the Moon by 2030. (rare, innovative use)
American English
- They hope to space-travel commercially within the decade. (rare, innovative use)
adverb
British English
- They travelled space-ward. (archaic/poetic)
American English
- The capsule moved space-ward. (archaic/poetic)
adjective
British English
- The space-travel industry is seeking new regulations.
American English
- Space-travel enthusiasts eagerly watched the launch.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the emerging commercial sector involving tourism and transport, e.g., 'Investors are bullish on space travel startups.'
Academic
Discussed in physics, engineering, and futurism papers regarding feasibility, ethics, and technology.
Everyday
Used in conversations about news, future holidays, or science fiction, e.g., 'Do you think space travel will be common in our lifetime?'
Technical
Precise term in aerospace engineering and mission planning, specifying crewed or uncrewed travel beyond the Kármán line.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “space travel”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “space travel”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “space travel”
- Using as a countable noun without a quantifier (e.g., 'We went on a space travel' – incorrect; 'We went on a space journey/voyage' or 'We experienced space travel' – correct).
- Confusing 'space travel' (process/act) with 'spacecraft' (vehicle).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a stable, open compound noun, written as two words: 'space travel'.
'Space travel' emphasizes the act of journeying itself. 'Space exploration' is broader, encompassing travel for the specific purpose of discovery and scientific investigation.
Yes. It refers to the concept and activity both historically and futuristically (e.g., 'Space travel began in the 20th century').
Yes, but it is more commonly and vividly used in the context of human travel. 'Spaceflight' is more neutral and frequent for both crewed and uncrewed missions.
The act or technology of traveling beyond Earth's atmosphere, especially into outer space.
Space travel is usually formal, technical, journalistic in register.
Space travel: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspeɪs ˌtræv.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspeɪs ˌtræv.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To have one's head in the clouds about space travel (to be unrealistically optimistic)”
- “It's not rocket science... oh wait, it is (humorous)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine booking TRAVEL to a SPACE hotel.
Conceptual Metaphor
A NEW FRONTIER / A HIGHWAY (e.g., 'paving the way for routine space travel').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate synonym for 'space travel' in a technical report?