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)

helicopters, present (3rd person singular) helicoptered, past participle, past helicoptering present participle

1. to fly in a helicopter.

verb (used with object)

helicopters, present (3rd person singular) helicoptered, past participle, past helicoptering present participle

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

Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has helicoptered
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have helicoptered
  perfect
• have been helicoptering
  perfect progressive
• are helicoptering
  progressive
• helicoptering
  participle
• is helicoptering
  progressive 3rd person singular
• am helicoptering
  progressive 1st person singular
• has been helicoptering
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• helicopters
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had helicoptered
  perfect
• had been helicoptering
  perfect progressive
• was helicoptering
  progressive singular
• helicoptered
  simple
• helicoptered
  participle
• were helicoptering
  progressive plural

Future

• will helicopter
  simple
• will have helicoptered
  perfect
• will be helicoptering
  progressive
• will have been helicoptering
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of helicopter

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

Explanation

A helicopter is a flying vehicle with a system of rotors that lift and propel it. In some cities, police officers patrol in helicopters. In some suburbs, wealthy people even commute by helicopter. Like airplanes, helicopters travel through the air — but unlike airplanes, they don't have wings. Most helicopters have a large rotor blade on top that creates lift by spinning rapidly. Smaller rotors help the helicopter move and steer. Hospitals use helicopters for transporting patients in crisis, for whom an ambulance might not move fast enough. The word comes from Greek roots, helix, "spiral," and pteron, "wing."

Example Sentences

Army Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

The Apache helicopter is the second crewed aircraft that Washington has confirmed was shot down by Iran during the war, following the loss of an F-15 fighter plane in April.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

A helicopter was used to reach the patient and allow paramedics to provide urgent medical care.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

It didn’t say how many crew were aboard the helicopter at the time it crashed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

The roar of the helicopter grew louder; she knew it was directly in front of the cabin.

From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret

Related Words

• chopper