midair

American  

[mid-air] / mɪdˈɛər /

noun

1. any point in the air not contiguous with the earth or other solid surface.

   to catch a ball in midair.

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midair British  

/ ˌmɪdˈɛə /

noun

1. 1. some point above ground level, in the air

   2. ( as modifier )

      a midair collision of aircraft

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midair Idioms  

1. see under leave hanging.

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Etymology

Origin of midair

First recorded in 1660–70; mid- + air ¹

Example Sentences

After 67 people died in a midair crash in Washington, D.C., last year, government and industry officials pledged action to prevent similar tragedies.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

US officials told CBS News, the BBC's US partner, the incident may have involved a midair collision, but added that they were still investigating.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

KC-135s are some of the oldest model tankers in use by the military and are used to refuel other aircrafts midair.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2026

Regulators cracked down on Boeing after a door plug blew off a 737 MAX plane midair in January 2024, and required the company to slow production.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

On screen, the cherry trees froze, blossoms trapped in midair.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer