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Synonyms

air base

American  

noun

  1. an operations center for units of an air force.

  2. Aerial Photogrammetry.

    1. a line joining two camera stations.

    2. the length of this line.

  3. the distance between the points on the ground over which an aerial photograph is taken.


air base British  

noun

  1. Also called: air station.  a centre from which military aircraft operate

"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

Etymology

Origin of air base

First recorded in 1915–20

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:

Iran said later it had targeted US military personnel at an air base in the United Arab Emirates.

From Barron's Aug. 31, 2026

Tensions had risen recently over proposals to use RAF Barnham, a former air base just over the border in Suffolk, as asylum seeker accommodation.

From BBC Aug. 8, 2026

Marine Corps’ largest air base, located in Miramar in San Diego, according to military officials.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 31, 2026

U.S. troops are posted to a Jordanian base near the Syrian border and at a separate air base in the desert where an Iranian missile strike killed two American servicemembers earlier this month.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 29, 2026

The eyes of the air base turned in the direction of the fat-bodied transport plane that was bringing foodstuffs and airplane parts to Smythe Field, and Bull Meecham back to his family.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

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