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.

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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

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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

New Zealand plans to spend roughly $7 billion on its military, including enhanced strike capabilities and new helicopters.

From The Wall Street Journal

The pope will arrive by helicopter, a diplomatic subtlety that spares him from landing on French soil without actually visiting France.

From Barron's

The incident occurred at the downtown Los Angeles restaurant Zaya, according to ABC7, which captured helicopter footage of first responders at the scene.

From Los Angeles Times

A military helicopter has crashed in Qatar, killing all seven people on board, authorities in the Gulf state say.

From BBC

Three Turkish nationals, including a serviceman, and three Qatari military personnel were killed when a helicopter crashed in Qatar's territorial waters, the Gulf country's defence ministry said.

From Barron's

Related Words

• chopper