noun
1. : one of the armed services of a state analogous to or part of the military and naval services and having the primary missions of gaining control of the air, interdicting the enemy lines of communication, supporting surface forces (as by bombing and strafing), and accomplishing strategic bombing objectives
2. : a unit of that echelon of the United States Air Force that is higher than an air division and lower than an air command and is usually composed of two or more air divisions