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. See autogiro
   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

Despite initially climbing upwards, the helicopter then descended, continuing that left turn, and crashed into terrain.

From Popular-Science

Once he was in the clouds, the investigators said Zobayan likely became disoriented as he lost visual references, thinking he was climbing when, in fact, the helicopter was plunging toward a hillside.

From Washington Post

Instead of driving the same scenic route as other cars, you’re floating or flying above it all in a hot-air balloon or helicopter.

From Outside Online

That’s puzzling and frustrating considering the amount of helicopter money Washington has dumped on the economy in recent quarters.

From Fortune

After a quick scan of the helicopter pickup area, Jim, our pilot, began to climb.

From Outside Online

Employees strap a device to their heads and power a helicopter drone with their minds.

From The Daily Beast

The whir of the circling NYPD helicopter muffled their chants calling for unity and calling out police brutality.

From The Daily Beast

Du Pont would even fly his wrestlers to tournaments in his Learjet or helicopter.

From The Daily Beast

After our helicopter crashed in the courtyard, Jimbo and I rushed inside the house.

From The Daily Beast

Ten days later, it will start air missions using two airplanes and one helicopter.

From The Daily Beast

"It would have been easier to bring along a helicopter," Wayne said wryly.

From Project Gutenberg

"Too bad we couldn't have had that helicopter you were talking about," said Boggs.

From Project Gutenberg

I struggled to make my way through it just as the PA underneath the helicopter switched on.

From Project Gutenberg

And from the helicopter at the White House lawn, where was your first stop by helicopter?

From Project Gutenberg

It was approximately forenoon, about 10:45, from the White House lawn, in the President's helicopter.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• chopper