airdrop

American  

[air-drop] / ˈɛərˌdrɒp /

verb (used with object)

airdropped, airdropping

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

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noun

1. the act or process of airdropping.

airdrop British  

/ ˈɛəˌdrɒp /

noun

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

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

• air-droppable
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of airdrop

First recorded in 1945–50; air ¹ + drop

Example Sentences

“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

The UK has been involved in previous efforts to airdrop aid into Gaza – a method aid agencies have cautioned is an inefficient way to deliver supplies.

From BBC • Jul. 25, 2025

It was the 11th American airdrop of aid since the U.S. began the program at the start of March.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 15, 2024

The Canadian Armed Forces will also donate about 300 cargo parachutes to Jordan, so they can be used to airdrop supplies into Gaza.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2024

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

Related Words

• fly