airborne

[ air-bawrn, -bohrn ]

adjective

1. carried by the air, as pollen or dust.
2. in flight; aloft:

   The plane was airborne by six o'clock.

3. Military. (of ground forces) carried in airplanes or gliders: : abn

   airborne infantry.

4. Aeronautics. (of an aircraft) supported entirely by the atmosphere; flying.

airborne

/ ˈɛəˌbɔːn /

adjective

1. conveyed by or through the air
2. (of aircraft) flying; in the air

Word History and Origins

Origin of airborne¹

First recorded in 1635–45; air ¹ + borne ¹

Example Sentences

Using all-out pursuit and with no concern for his body, he went airborne at the 30-yard line like he was Superman and landed on the ballcarrier from behind.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of the largest commercial airlines and airborne cargo carriers in the U.S. have banded together to help solve the problem under their trade group Airlines for America.

From Los Angeles Times

Although it is difficult to reduce exposure by the airborne route, more frequent cleaning of the house can help to minimize the inhalation of dust containing PFAS.

From Salon

Marburg, which is not airborne, can be transmitted by exposure to fruit bats and between people via body fluids through unprotected sex and broken skin.

From BBC

Her previous research had shown that bacterial microbes could become airborne pathogens in sea spray.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aerial
• floating
• soaring