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.
By then, the airplane was already airborne after being cleared for takeoff. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026 The investment comes as militaries are placing greater emphasis on electronic warfare, airborne sensing and the ability to operate in environments where communications and radar systems may be contested. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026 Soap residue that’s left behind can create a sticky surface that attracts dust, dirt, and airborne oils, leading to some pretty grimy and hard-to-remove surfaces. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026 Furthermore, monitoring an audio signal requires considerably less power than remaining airborne or continuously transmitting video, potentially allowing the drone to remain in position for much longer periods. — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 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 1 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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