in the air

phrase

: being felt or expressed by many people : in wide circulation
There was a sense of anticipation in the air.

Examples of in the air in a Sentence

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.
Dew points, a measure of the amount of moisture in the air, will also rise considerably throughout the day. — Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026 That led to the league’s second-highest rate of pulling balls in the air. — Eno Sarris, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Biggs said the migratory species keep moving on, ‘surfing’ high-pressure systems in the air. — Olga R. Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Measles can spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, and the virus remains infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the person with infection leaves the area. — Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for in the air

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in the air was in 1853

Rhymes for in the air

See All Rhymes for in the air

Browse Nearby Words

in the aggregate
in the air
in the altogether
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In the air.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20air. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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