helicopter

American  

[hel-i-kop-ter, hee-li-] / ˈhɛl ɪˌkɒp tər, ˈhi lɪ- /

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.

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verb (used without object)

1. to fly in a helicopter.

verb (used with object)

1. to convey in a helicopter.

helicopter British  

/ ˈhɛlɪˌkɒptə /

noun

1. 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

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verb

1. to transport (people or things) or (of people or things) to be transported by helicopter

Etymology

Origin of helicopter

From the French word hélicoptère, dating back to 1885–90. See helico-, -pter

Example Sentences

"There wasn't any noise, I didn't hear anything but there is a huge yellow parachute. There is a lot of police and helicopters here too."

From BBC

When he reached the beach, the teen said he called emergency services and asked them to deploy boats, helicopters and planes, telling them: "My family is out at sea."

From Barron's

They used drones, aircraft, helicopters, heat sensors, and infrared, the sheriff said, adding: "Everything we have, we've thrown at this."

From BBC

On one afternoon, there were an incredible seventy aircraft full of media and tourists—in addition to the helicopters and planes the scientists used—circling the mountain.

From Literature

Three Wales Air Ambulance helicopters were sent, as were four ambulances and two other response units.

From BBC

Related Words

• chopper