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

Other symptoms depend on whether the allergen is airborne or in food. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 17 Mar. 2025

The nano-ion technology at the heart of the new budget-friendly monitors draws air into vents at the rear, and is claimed capable of removing up to 90% of airborne dust in just three hours – along with pollen, allergens and other pollutants. —Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 15 Mar. 2025

Measles is airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. —Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025

By dumping more toxic substances into the landfills, there’s a higher chance of chemicals leaking into groundwater or becoming part of airborne dust blowing into nearby communities. —Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for airborne

• adorn
• blackthorn
• broomcorn
• buckhorn
• buckthorn
• careworn
• firstborn
• foodborne
• forborne
• forewarn
• forlorn
• forsworn

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