helicopter

[ hel-i-kop-ter, hee-li- ]

noun

1. any of a class of heavier-than-air craft that are lifted and sustained in the air horizontally by rotating wings or blades turning on vertical axes through power supplied by an engine.

verb (used without object)

1. to fly in a helicopter.

verb (used with object)

1. to convey in a helicopter.

helicopter

/ ˈhɛlɪˌkɒptə /

noun

1. an aircraft capable of hover, vertical flight, and horizontal flight in any direction. Most get all of their lift and propulsion from the rotation of overhead blades See also autogiro

verb

1. to transport (people or things) or (of people or things) to be transported by helicopter

Word History and Origins

Origin of helicopter¹

From the French word hélicoptère, dating back to 1885–90. See helico-, -pter

Word History and Origins

Origin of helicopter¹

C19: from French hélicoptère, from helico- + Greek pteron wing

Example Sentences

The Chinook and Puma helicopters being retired have been in use for decades.

From BBC

At times, the professionals attending to me on the mountainside were not sure if things were getting better or worse so they decided to have me winched aboard a Coastguard helicopter and taken to hospital.

From BBC

Yvette Cooper announced a new body which would co-ordinate specialist functions such as forensics, IT, and the use of drones and helicopters.

From BBC

Footage from ABC7 News helicopters showed amusement park staff using a crane to perform repairs on the malfunctioning ride at around 3:30 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times

The Russian government has sent weapons, helicopters and mercenaries from the Wagner group to help Mali fight Islamist insurgents and rebels.

From New York Times

Related Words

• chopper