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Showing results for airdrop. Search instead for Hairrop.
Synonyms

airdrop

American  
[air-drop] / ˈɛərˌdrɒp /

verb (used with object)

airdropped, airdropping
  1. to drop (persons, equipment, etc.) by parachute from an aircraft in flight.


noun

  1. the act or process of airdropping.

airdrop British  
/ ˈɛəˌdrɒp /

noun

  1. a delivery of supplies, troops, etc, from an aircraft by parachute

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to deliver (supplies, etc) by an airdrop

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of airdrop

First recorded in 1945–50; air 1 + drop


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Some countries airlift or airdrop humanitarian relief supplies, but are also concerned about stockpiling for themselves.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026

“We have to perform the airdrop as a surprise, so people don’t gather below,” Phille said earlier.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2025

A Times photographer went along on a Gaza aid airdrop.

From New York Times ● Mar. 31, 2024

Early on Tuesday, the British government announced that it had carried out its first airdrop of food into Gaza.

From BBC ● Mar. 26, 2024

The closest thing I’d had to human contact since the airdrop, the distant lights triggered a flood of emotion that caught me off guard.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

The United States, France and others have airdropped tens of thousands of military-style meals into Gaza, but those deliveries have fallen far short of the 6.6 million meals that are needed each day.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 12, 2024

“The issue of aid is brutal and no one accepts it,” said another resident, Momen Mahra, claiming that most airdropped aid falls into the sea.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 9, 2024

Owing to the difficulties of getting humanitarian assistance to Gaza, the US airdropped aid over the weekend.

From BBC ● Mar. 4, 2024

Air Force cargo planes airdropped 66 pallets over southwest Gaza, according to a U.S. official.

From New York Times ● Mar. 2, 2024

Then adds, “A few years back, I remember hearing about a stranded cruise ship. They airdropped them Spam and Pop-Tarts. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather have MoonPies.”

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

The result is that an average food delivery by truck costs $180 per ton, while airdropping is a whopping $16,000 per ton, according to a U.S.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2025

With the humanitarian crisis worsening, the United States this month started airdropping food and water into the enclave.

From New York Times ● Mar. 17, 2024

The United States and other countries have also been airdropping food into northern Gaza in recent weeks to help alleviate the crisis.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 14, 2024

The US Air Force has released footage of American cargo planes airdropping humanitarian aid into northern Gaza.

From BBC ● Mar. 6, 2024

She told the Associated Press that first responders were using “every tactic imaginable” to contain the blaze, including airdropping fire retardant.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 9, 2022

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