airlift

[ air-lift ]

noun

1. a system for transporting persons or cargo by aircraft, especially in an emergency.
2. the persons or cargo so transported.
3. the act or process of transporting such a load.
4. a pump for raising liquids by the pressure of air forced into the pump chamber.

verb (used with object)

1. to transport (persons or cargo) by airlift.

adjective

1. of or relating to an airlift or airlifts:

   to increase the army's airlift capacity.

airlift

/ ˈɛəˌlɪft /

noun

1. the transportation by air of passengers, troops, cargo, etc, esp when other routes are blocked

verb

1. tr to transport by an airlift

Word History and Origins

Origin of airlift¹

First recorded in 1940–45; air ¹ + lift

Example Sentences

Three minutes after he was airlifted to safety by an American black hawk helicopter, David stood on an IED.

From BBC

An injured passenger was airlifted from a ferry between Aberdeen and Orkney on Sunday evening after falling on board in rough conditions.

From BBC

A third child - a seven year-old boy who was also in the Toyota - was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle by air ambulance with serious injuries.

From BBC

Dr Shaw noted the youngster had been airlifted to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary where he died.

From BBC

The three victims sustained non-life threatening injuries but Ms Hopkin, who was stabbed in the neck, had to be airlifted to hospital.

From BBC