aloft

[ uh-lawft, uh-loft ]

adverb

1. high up; far above the ground.
2. Nautical.
   1. on the masts; in the rigging; overhead.
   2. (on a square-rigged sailing ship) in the upper rigging, specifically, on or above the lower yards ( alow ).
3. in or into the air.

preposition

1. on or at the top of:

   flags flying aloft the castle.

aloft

/ əˈlɒft /

adverb

1. in or into a high or higher place; up above
2. nautical in or into the rigging of a vessel

Word History and Origins

Origin of aloft¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English o loft, from Old Norse ā lopt “in the air”; equivalent to a- ¹ + loft

Word History and Origins

Origin of aloft¹

C12: from Old Norse ā lopt in the air; see lift ¹, loft

Example Sentences

The long nights help temperatures near the ground cool significantly, but high pressure aloft often traps a warm layer just hundreds or thousands of feet off the ground.

From Washington Post

Time will tell whether Tesla’s stock price can stay aloft or whether, somehow, this time is different.

From Fortune

On the morning of October 14, 1947, the X-1 was once again carried aloft by its B-29 mother ship.

From Popular-Science

The researchers attribute Phaethon’s dust production to the extreme heat, which breaks rocks on the asteroid’s surface and sends particles aloft.

From Science News

Dried tilapia, the fish of choice for East Africa, held aloft in hope of a sale.

From Ozy

Ankara sent its warplanes aloft—at last—but not to bomb ISIS.

From The Daily Beast

Just look at the captain that holds the trophy aloft at the end of the tournament.

From The Daily Beast

There was a sense of standing together on the precipice, but holding each other aloft by sheer will, conjoined by rage.

From The Daily Beast

Last year Turkey unveiled its own drone, known as the ANKA surveillance craft, capable of staying aloft for 24 hours.

From The Daily Beast

When Clay held the world title aloft, Lipsyte saw in the gleam of the belt sports and '60s social upheaval and his own careerism.

From The Daily Beast

The color-bearer went down, but the flag was seized by Randolph Hamilton, and held aloft.

From Project Gutenberg

Holding the violin aloft, he cried exultingly: Henceforth thou art mine, though death and oblivion lurk ever near thee!

From Project Gutenberg

The child, whose eyes were open, was held aloft in triumph, and he stared at Haggard with a wondering gaze.

From Project Gutenberg

Elbowing her way in she caught sight of her gown held aloft by Mr. Bills, and heard his voluble "Going, going, at fifty cents."

From Project Gutenberg

In front of him the great locomotive snorted up the climbing track, hurling clouds of sparks aloft.

From Project Gutenberg