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a first-magnitude star in the constellation Aquila.
Historical Examples

We’re beyond the position where the asteroid was sighted, moving along what the Altair figured as its orbit.
Rip Foster in Ride the Gray Planet Harold Leland Goodwin

Above him was the enormous triangle formed by Deneb, Vega, and Altair.
Warning from the Stars Ron Cocking

Altair rises about 8° north of the exact eastern point on the horizon.
A Field Book of the Stars William Tyler Olcott

Without turning he asked, “Shall I change course and go to Altair?”
The Stars, My Brothers Edmond Hamilton

Vega stood nearly straight overhead, and Deneb and Altair, the great autumnal triangle in our skies.
Over Prairie Trails Frederick Philip Grove

The middle of these is Altair, a yellowish star of the first magnitude.
Astronomy of To-day Cecil G. Dolmage

The body of the eagle is Altair, and the other two stars are the wings.
Earth and Sky Every Child Should Know Julia Ellen Rogers

Altair and Arcturus: prominent stars in the northern hemisphere.
The Spring of the Year Dallas Lore Sharp

The Navy’s going to establish a new base here, and the Altair will be assigned to it.
Industrial Revolution Poul William Anderson

I should say that Altair is about five degrees from each of his companions.
Earth and Sky Every Child Should Know Julia Ellen Rogers

noun
the brightest star in the constellation Aquila. Visual magnitude: 0.77; spectral type: A7V; distance: 16.8 light years

bright star in the constellation Aquila, 16c., from Arabic Al Nasr al Tair “the Flying Eagle,” from tair, participle of tara “it flew.”
Altair
(āl-târ’, -tīr’)
A bright white star in the constellation Aquila. Altair is a main-sequence star in the Hertzprung-Russell diagram. It is the 12th brightest star in the night sky, with an apparent magnitude of 0.77. Altair, along with Vega and Deneb, form the Summer Triangle asterism. Scientific name: Alpha Aquilae.