midair

American  

[mid-air] / mɪdˈɛər /

noun

1. any point in the air not contiguous with the earth or other solid surface.

   to catch a ball in midair.

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midair British  

/ ˌmɪdˈɛə /

noun

1. 1. some point above ground level, in the air

   2. ( as modifier )

      a midair collision of aircraft

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midair Idioms  

1. see under leave hanging.

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Etymology

Origin of midair

First recorded in 1660–70; mid- + air ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

midair

Boeing did not make it past the probationary period when in January 2024, the rear door on an Alaska Airlines 737 Max plane blew off midair.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

The Qatari aircraft lacks several features of older Air Force One jets, including the ability to refuel midair and nuclear hardening.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

Federal aviation regulators are preparing to mandate the use of technology that would help pilots see nearby aircraft, a fix that safety advocates have sought since a deadly midair collision in Washington, D.C., last year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

"It can hover like a helicopter, fly forwards like an aircraft, but equally brake in midair or fly backwards," marketing chief Andrea Marchsteiner told AFP.

From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026

As part of a two-pronged attack, P.M. flashed around various assailants at high speed, leaving mirrors confiscated from Missus Nedraw’s stuck in midair.

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles