helicopter

[hel-i-kop-ter, hee-li-]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of helicopter¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of helicopter¹

C19: from French hélicoptère, from _helico- + Greek pteron wing

Example Sentences

The site has been cordoned off, with police, fire and ambulance services present and helicopters overhead.

From BBC

On Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security announced that they had arrested “four criminal illegal aliens” who allegedly conducted laser strikes on a Border Patrol helicopter “in an attempt to temporarily blind the pilot.”

From Los Angeles Times

Namibia says it is sending in helicopters and hundreds of soldiers to battle a fire that has ravaged a third of a key nature reserve.

From BBC

Some 3,500 people work at Karup airbase, which is home to all of the Danish Armed Forces' helicopters, airspace surveillance and parts of the Danish Defence Command.

From BBC

A police helicopter was hovering over the scene.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chopper