air cover

American

noun

the use of aircraft to protect ground or naval military operations.
the protection given by such aircraft.

air cover British

noun

Also called: air support.
1. the use of aircraft to provide aerial protection for ground forces against enemy air attack
2. the aircraft used in this

"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

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.

The dispersion of the drones also complicates air cover for ground forces.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

“It feels like what they are saying may simply be air cover as they are trying to get this deal through regulation,” he said.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 7, 2026

Western nations seeking to secure the route for maritime traffic could consider frigate patrols or escorts for a particular ship -- possibly with extra air cover.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

"It's really, really difficult for local authorities when they've not got that air cover from government," she said.

From BBC • Aug. 22, 2024

They could provide air cover, Cabell suggested, give the men a chance to unload their supplies and get off the open beach.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023