airborne

adjective

air·​borne ˈer-ˌbȯrn 

1

: done or being in the air : being off the ground: such as

a

: carried through the air (as by an aircraft)

b

: supported especially by aerodynamic forces or propelled through the air by force

a plane becoming airborne

c

: transported or carried by the air

airborne allergens

2

: trained for deployment by air and especially by parachute

airborne troops

Examples of airborne in a Sentence

Once the plane was airborne I loosened my seat belt.

Thousands of airborne troops parachuted behind enemy lines.

Recent Examples on the Web

This helps stop the spread of the fungi, which becomes airborne as walls and flooring are removed. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 13 June 2024

The Silverado then re-entered the roadway at the intersection of Business 50 and became airborne, striking the 2022 Acura RDX. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2024

Materials: To keep your baby as safe as possible, look for a mirror that’s made of shatter-proof materials and has a soft, rounded frame so as not to injure your baby should the mirror become loose or airborne. —Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 12 June 2024

Another driver crossed the double yellow line, went airborne and landed on top of their SUV. —Bethany Levrier, Peoplemag, 4 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

airborne

adjective

air·​borne ˈa(ə)r-ˌbōrn 

-ˌbȯrn,

ˈe(ə)r-

: supported or transported by air

airborne troops

Medical Definition

airborne

adjective

air·​borne -ˌbōrn 

: carried or transported by the air

airborne allergens

airborne bacteria