Plain English Meaning

The system that lets everyone inside the aircraft hear and talk to each other through their headsets without using the outside radio.

Full Definition

An internal communication system in an aircraft that allows the pilot, crew, and passengers to talk to each other through their headsets, separately from the radio used to talk to people outside the aircraft.

Context Anchor

Seen in cockpit communication equipment, especially when using headsets during training, crew coordination, or passenger briefings.

Derivation

Short for 'intercommunication.' 'Inter-' comes from Latin meaning 'between,' and 'communication' means 'sharing or exchanging.' So 'intercom' simply means 'talking between people' — in this case, between people inside the same aircraft.

Why Pilots Care

It allows clear coordination and briefings in a noisy cockpit without shouting, reducing during .