airlift

noun

air·​lift ˈer-ˌlift How to pronounce airlift (audio)
: a system of transporting cargo or passengers by aircraft often to or from an otherwise inaccessible area
airlift transitive verb

Examples of airlift in a Sentence

an emergency airlift to deliver supplies to the famine victims
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.
In 2021, two suicide bombers and gunmen attacked crowds of Afghans flocking to Kabul’s airport, transforming a scene of desperation into one of horror in the waning days of an airlift for those fleeing the Taliban takeover of the country. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026 The airlift was handled by a UH-60 Blackhawk crew from Knoxville’s 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion, officials said. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026 Additionally, while Iranian officials talk about a ground offensive, Bubiyan and Bahrain are islands, which would necessitate amphibious operations or sizable airlifts. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Six Boeing 767 airlifts have carried 295 tons of relief supplies into the country. — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for airlift

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of airlift was in 1943

Rhymes for airlift

See All Rhymes for airlift

Browse Nearby Words

air letter
airlift
airlifter
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Airlift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airlift. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

airlift

noun
air·​lift ˈa(ə)r-ˌlift How to pronounce airlift (audio)
ˈe(ə)r-
: a system of transporting cargo or passengers by aircraft to or from an area otherwise impossible to reach
airlift verb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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