helicopter

American  

[hel-i-kop-ter, hee-li-] / ˈhɛl ɪˌkɒp tər, ˈhi lɪ- /

noun

1. any of a class of heavier-than-air craft that are lifted and sustained in the air horizontally by rotating wings or blades turning on vertical axes through power supplied by an engine.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to fly in a helicopter.

verb (used with object)

1. to convey in a helicopter.

helicopter British  

/ ˈhɛlɪˌkɒptə /

noun

1. an aircraft capable of hover, vertical flight, and horizontal flight in any direction. Most get all of their lift and propulsion from the rotation of overhead blades See also autogiro

---

verb

1. to transport (people or things) or (of people or things) to be transported by helicopter

Etymology

Origin of helicopter

From the French word hélicoptère, dating back to 1885–90. See helico-, -pter

Example Sentences

One helicopter was hit and the crew sustained minor injuries but "are going to be fine."

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

She criticizes helicopter parenting, decries remote work and tells women they should be willing to “piss people off” in order to be good leaders.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

The helicopter service, which has operated alongside fixed-wing aircraft and coastguard support since 2022, had been described as a "vital partnership".

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

The pilots of an Apache attack helicopter were suspended this week after doing a flyby of Kid Rock’s home in Tennessee.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

Against the smoky, moonlit sky, she saw a big two-rotor helicopter.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

Related Words

• chopper