Airborne


carried by the air, as pollen or dust.
in flight; aloft:
The plane was airborne by six o’clock.
Military. (of ground forces) carried in airplanes or gliders:
airborne infantry.
Aeronautics. (of an aircraft) supported entirely by the atmosphere; flying.
Contemporary Examples

Typhoon fighter jets will patrol the skies, and Puma helicopters will be at the ready with airborne snipers.
London Cracks Down on Security for Olympic Games Mike Giglio July 8, 2012

Frieden stressed once again that the virus can be stopped and that it is not airborne.
CDC Director: First U.S. Ebola Patient ‘Critically Ill’ Abby Haglage September 29, 2014

You were a flight surgeon for the 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (airborne).
A Sleepover With Saddam Elise Jordan December 12, 2009

There is no evidence that airborne Ebola exists anywhere outside of fear-mongering headlines.
George Will, Fox News, and the Beginning of an Ebola Conspiracy Russell Saunders October 21, 2014

Blackwater airdropped supplies to stranded soldiers of the 82nd airborne for free until the Air Force provided a contract.
Who Should Kill? Looking for Answers in Erik Prince’s Memoir Brian Castner November 21, 2013

Historical Examples

“I’ll have you and the Lady Dallona airborne and off for Ghamma as soon as you wish,” he promised.
Last Enemy Henry Beam Piper

After you arrived back on AF-1, what did you do between that time and the time the plane was airborne?
Warren Commission (7 of 26): Hearings Vol. VII (of 15) The President’s Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

As they were airborne, Scotty took the speed graphic he had brought and checked to see that a film pack was in place.
Smugglers’ Reef John Blaine

After the President’s plane was airborne, we left and came back to the city hall.
Warren Commission (12 of 26): Hearings Vol. XII (of 15) The President’s Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

“I feel certain that whatever contaminating agent we are dealing with is airborne,” said Professor Maddox.
The Year When Stardust Fell Raymond F. Jones

adjective
conveyed by or through the air
(of aircraft) flying; in the air
adj.

1640s, “carried through the air,” from air (n.1) + borne. Of military units, from 1937.

Read Also:

  • Airborne alert

    a state of military alert wherein combat-equipped aircraft are flying and prepared for action.

  • Airborne command post

    any of several converted commercial aircraft equipped with special communications and code gear, intended as flying bunkers for the president, secretary of defense, military commanders, or their designated replacements.

  • Air-bound

    stopped up by air.

  • Air brake

    a brake or system of brakes operated by compressed air. Aeronautics. a device for reducing the air speed of an aircraft by increasing its drag. a device for stopping the sails of a windmill by disrupting the flow of air around them. Contemporary Examples Johnson Welded Products Ohio-based manufacturer of reservoirs for air brake systems. […]

  • Air-breathe

    (of an engine, aircraft, missile, etc.) to take in air from the atmosphere to oxidize the fuel for combustion.


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