airborne

adjective

air·​borne ˈer-ˌbȯrn How to pronounce airborne (audio)
1
: done or being in the air : being off the ground: such as
a
: carried through the air (as by an aircraft)
b
: supported especially by aerodynamic forces or propelled through the air by force
a plane becoming airborne
c
: transported or carried by the air
airborne allergens
2
: trained for deployment by air and especially by parachute
airborne troops

Examples of airborne in a Sentence

Once the plane was airborne I loosened my seat belt. Thousands of airborne troops parachuted behind enemy lines.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The show comes from Goalhanger’s drama bosses Joel Emery and Adam Jarrell, and was developed with input from current and former military and defence professionals, including serving airborne serviceman and military adviser Sergeant Dave Allen. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026 Electric cooking still generates steam, smoke, and airborne grease—all of which can linger in your kitchen without good airflow. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2026 Within 45 minutes of Corle’s 911 call, a team of rescuers from Fort Wainwright’s 68th Medical Company Air Ambulance was airborne on a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter and headed south. — Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026 That figure becomes particularly useful aboard aircraft that must remain airborne for extended periods. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for airborne

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of airborne was in 1637

Rhymes for airborne

See All Rhymes for airborne

Browse Nearby Words

airboat
airborne
air boss
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Airborne.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airborne. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

airborne

adjective
air·​borne ˈa(ə)r-ˌbōrn How to pronounce airborne (audio)
-ˌbȯrn, 
ˈe(ə)r-
: supported or transported by air
airborne troops

Medical Definition

airborne

adjective
air·​borne -ˌbōrn How to pronounce airborne (audio)
: carried or transported by the air
airborne allergens
airborne bacteria
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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