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

On one afternoon, there were an incredible seventy aircraft full of media and tourists—in addition to the helicopters and planes the scientists used—circling the mountain.

From Literature

Three Wales Air Ambulance helicopters were sent, as were four ambulances and two other response units.

From BBC

But it never even opened as the shopping center it was meant to be, with a five-star hotel and a helicopter pad.

From Barron's

The U.S. imported more than $6 billion worth of helicopters and airplanes from Canada in 2024, according to trade data from the Census Bureau.

From The Wall Street Journal

The helicopter has just circled around Nini, a nearby rig rising up from the choppy waters of the North Sea.

From BBC

Related Words

• chopper