Plain English Meaning

How much the whole airplane weighs right now, with everything and everyone on board.

Full Definition

The total weight of the airplane and everything in it at a given moment, including the empty airframe, fuel, oil, pilot, passengers, baggage, and any cargo. It is the actual weight the wings must support in flight at that time.

Context Anchor

You see gross weight when loading the airplane, checking performance charts, and reading about how weight affects angle of attack, lift, takeoff, landing, and stall speed.

Derivation

Gross' comes from the Old French 'gros,' meaning 'large' or 'whole.' In it carries the 'whole' sense — the complete, all-inclusive weight, not just one part of it.