aloft

1 of 2

adverb

ə-ˈlȯft 

1

: at or to a great height

measuring the winds aloft

2

: in the air

especially : in flight (as in an airplane)

meals served aloft

3

: at, on, or to the masthead or the higher rigging

went aloft to unfurl the sails

aloft

2 of 2

preposition

: on top of : above

bright signs aloft hotels

Synonyms

Adverb

• above
• over
• overhead

Examples of aloft in a Sentence

Adverb

The balloon stayed aloft for days.

the ease with which he can hold a ballerina aloft with one hand is awesome

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

The last such storm, a front accompanied by an atmospheric river of streaming precipitation aloft, struck Washington, Oregon and the northern reaches of California this week, killing two and producing historic rain. —Dennis Romero, NBC News, 24 Nov. 2024

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the United States has been experimenting with various new weather balloons and data-gathering devices as well, including a balloon that can stay aloft for up to 16 days instead of just a couple of hours. —Danielle Beurteaux, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Oct. 2024

Preposition

The Leicester fans held aloft the free commemorative scarves which were left on every seat inside the stadium and sang their late chairman’s name. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from Old Norse ā lopt, from ā on, in + lopt air — more at on, loft

Preposition

Middle English alofte, derivative of alofte aloft entry 1

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

aloft

adverb or adjective

ə-ˈlȯft

1

: in the air

especially : in flight

2

: at, on, or to the higher rigging of a sailing ship