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

The Coast Guard sent out a helicopter from Air Station San Francisco as well as a small boat from its Monterey station to search for the swimmer Monday, said Chris Sappey, a U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

As helicopters circled overhead, sirens descended on her suburb, and people ran screaming down her street on 14 December, Mary felt a grim sense of deja vu.

From BBC

"We sent messages back, and the helicopter came with bags, and they came and took them away."

From BBC

The post was accompanied by a nearly eight-minute video of aerial footage that showed a helicopter hovering just above the deck of a large tanker at sea.

From Barron's

The force confirmed officers were working alongside a coastguard helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft.

From BBC

Related Words

• chopper