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Showing results for airdrop. Search instead for airdropped.
Synonyms

airdrop

American  
[air-drop] / ˈɛərˌdrɒp /

verb (used with object)

airdropped, airdropping
  1. to drop (persons, equipment, etc.) by parachute from an aircraft in flight.


noun

  1. the act or process of airdropping.

airdrop British  
/ ˈɛəˌdrɒp /

noun

  1. a delivery of supplies, troops, etc, from an aircraft by parachute

"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

verb

  1. (tr) to deliver (supplies, etc) by an airdrop

"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

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of airdrop

First recorded in 1945–50; air 1 + drop


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:

The National Guard may need to airdrop kegs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026

Some countries airlift or airdrop humanitarian relief supplies, but are also concerned about stockpiling for themselves.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026

“We have to perform the airdrop as a surprise, so people don’t gather below,” Phille said earlier.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2025

"Even if they airdrop food, airdrop anything - we're completely exhausted."

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2025

The closest thing I’d had to human contact since the airdrop, the distant lights triggered a flood of emotion that caught me off guard.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

Efforts to reach people in areas still cut off are ongoing, with aid having to be airdropped into some places.

From BBC ● Dec. 6, 2025

The United States, France and others have airdropped tens of thousands of military-style meals into Gaza, but those deliveries have fallen far short of the 6.6 million meals that are needed each day.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 12, 2024

The U.S. military said that its planes airdropped more than 41,000 “meal equivalents” and 23,000 bottles of water into northern Gaza, the hardest part of the enclave to access.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 9, 2024

Air Force cargo planes airdropped 66 pallets over southwest Gaza, according to a U.S. official.

From New York Times ● Mar. 2, 2024

Then adds, “A few years back, I remember hearing about a stranded cruise ship. They airdropped them Spam and Pop-Tarts. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather have MoonPies.”

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

The result is that an average food delivery by truck costs $180 per ton, while airdropping is a whopping $16,000 per ton, according to a U.S.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2025

With the humanitarian crisis worsening, the United States this month started airdropping food and water into the enclave.

From New York Times ● Mar. 17, 2024

The United States has joined other countries in airdropping supplies to the isolated region of northern Gaza and has announced separate plans to construct a pier to get aid in.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 15, 2024

The US Air Force has released footage of American cargo planes airdropping humanitarian aid into northern Gaza.

From BBC ● Mar. 6, 2024

She told the Associated Press that first responders were using “every tactic imaginable” to contain the blaze, including airdropping fire retardant.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 9, 2022

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