airplane mode

Definition

A setting on mobile devices and computers that disables wireless communications including cellular data, WiFi, and Bluetooth while keeping the device operational. Required by aviation regulations during flight but also used colloquially to mean disconnecting from notifications and messages.

Example Usage

I'm putting my phone on airplane mode during the meeting so I don't get distracted by notifications.

Origin

Named after its original intended use: disabling signals during airplane flights to prevent interference with aircraft systems, standardized across devices in the 2000s.

Fun Fact

Airplane mode was introduced as a regulatory requirement by the FCC and FAA, though evidence suggests modern aircraft systems are resistant to phone signals.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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