air cover
Americannoun
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the use of aircraft to protect ground or naval military operations.
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the protection given by such aircraft.
noun
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The press release just looks like they’re providing air cover for the company without directing real fixes or systematic changes.”
From Salon ● Sep. 1, 2026
That impression was not helped by the tardiness of mobilising the destroyer HMS Dragon – built by BAE - to provide air cover for Cyprus against Iranian and Hezbollah threats.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Kharg Island, just 16 miles from the mainland, would require robust air defenses, likely including interceptor-equipped destroyers or sustained air cover.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 27, 2026
Smaller vessels such as destroyers and frigates would be best suited for the mission, which could also involve air cover from helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, or both.
From Barron's ● Mar. 16, 2026
Our planes can't give air cover 'cause of the mist, snow, hail, gales.
From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
