Dictionary

on the wing en · ADP

Meanings

1. While flying.
   • Next comes a supposition, that the bird sleeps on the wing, and that the great distance from land at which it is seen at close of day is thought to favour the supposition[…]. 1835 February, Thomas Hutton, “Observations on an Article in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, on the subject of the Albatross”, in Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, volume 4, number 38, page 108:
   • By surviving the rigors of a life on the wing, birds earn another chance to pass on their genes. 1999, Scott Weidensaul, Living on the Wind: Across the Hemisphere with Migratory Birds, North Point Press, published 2000, →ISBN, page 346:
2. (figuratively) During operation.
3. (figuratively) In motion.
4. (figuratively) Departing.

Hypernyms

dynamically

Synonyms

in flight · on the move · on the fly