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air cover

American  

noun

  1. the use of aircraft to protect ground or naval military operations.

  2. the protection given by such aircraft.


air cover British  

noun

  1. 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

Smaller vessels such as destroyers and frigates would be best suited for the mission, which could also involve air cover from helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, or both.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 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

He noted that Ukraine lacks vital air cover for its attacks.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 15, 2023

Our planes can't give air cover 'cause of the mist, snow, hail, gales.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

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