flyby

Noun

flyby (plural flybys)

1. A flight past a celestial object in order to make observations.
   • The upcoming flyby of Halley's comet is expected to provide new information on the nature of the comet.
   • Farthest from the dim red dwarf Ondeste, the ice dwarf Maisuth has attracted no interest beyond a cursory flyby by automated probe in 1874. No significant resources were noted.2010, BioWare, Mass Effect 2 (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Maisuth, Ondeste System
2. (US) A low-level ceremonial flight, typically in connection with an airshow or a military parade.
   • Two of your snot-nose jockeys did a fly-by on my tower at over 400 knots!1986, Jim Cash, Jack Epps Jr., Top Gun (motion picture), spoken by Air Boss Johnson

   Synonyms:

   flypast, flyover

3. (figuratively) A brief visit.
4. A sailby performed by a hydrofoil vessel while hydrofoiling.
5. A three-dimensional animated sequence in which the camera moves past an object or scenery.