air right

American  

noun

1. a right of way in the air space above a property owner's land and the immovable property on it, subject to the public right of air navigation above the property at a legally prescribed altitude.

2. such a right sold or leased for use or occupation, especially on a support elevated above an immovable property, as for the erection of an office building over a railroad track.

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Etymology

Origin of air right

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Anni Albers especially feels in the air right now.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 15, 2025

"Everything is up in the air right now, and that's the whole point. Everybody's walking on eggshells, not knowing what's going to happen."

From BBC • Jun. 17, 2025

I’m on the air right at the moment.

From Slate • Oct. 2, 2024

“Solar energy, rather than evaporating water from the ground or transpiring water from vegetation, heats the ground and ultimately the air right over it.”

From Seattle Times • Aug. 8, 2023

At first, I thought I was going to fall flat on my back, but then I stopped and somehow jerked up into the air, right out of my seat.

From "The Stars Beneath Our Feet" by David Barclay Moore