antiaircraft

[ an-tee-air-kraft, -krahft, an-tahy- ]

adjective

1. designed for or used in defense against enemy aircraft.

noun

1. artillery used against enemy aircraft.
2. a military organization operating and servicing antiaircraft artillery.
3. shellfire from antiaircraft artillery:

   The planes flew through heavy antiaircraft.

Word History and Origins

Origin of antiaircraft¹

First recorded in 1910–15; anti- + aircraft

Example Sentences

Strong evidence suggests that a Russian-supplied and crewed Buk antiaircraft missile shot down MH17.

From The Daily Beast

Right now Russia is moving troops, armor, and advanced antiaircraft missiles toward the border with Ukraine.

From The Daily Beast

The Ukrainian government now says that its military has detected even more advanced antiaircraft batteries lined up on its border.

From The Daily Beast

All sides agreed that it was brought down by a Buk antiaircraft missile, also known as a SA-17 Grizzly in NATO terminology.

From The Daily Beast

The former official speculated to The Daily Beast that Israel had targeted Russian-made antiaircraft batteries known as SA-17s.

From The Daily Beast

As they swung lower, to sow bombs about the place, antiaircraft guns opened on them and they departed.

From Project Gutenberg

In its mobility the improvised antiaircraft gun mount was far from perfect.

From Project Gutenberg

It may be noted here that our first 26 antiaircraft guns were mounted on White 1½-ton trucks.

From Project Gutenberg

An 8-inch howitzer was placed on this antiaircraft caterpillar mount and fired at angles of elevation varying up to 45°.

From Project Gutenberg

He dared not rise too high, for that would give the antiaircraft gunners a chance of bringing him crashing down to the earth.

From Project Gutenberg