helicopter

1 of 2

noun

he·​li·​cop·​ter ˈhe-lə-ˌkäp-tər 

ˈhē-

: an aircraft whose lift is derived from the aerodynamic forces acting on one or more powered rotors turning about substantially vertical axes

helicopter

2 of 2

verb

helicoptered; helicoptering; helicopters

intransitive verb

: to travel by helicopter

transitive verb

: to transport by helicopter

Synonyms of helicopter

Noun

• chopper

Examples of helicopter in a Sentence

Noun

took a helicopter tour to get a better sense of the grandeur of the Grand Canyon

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The search teams from across counties, the city and the state used helicopters, boats, sonar, drones and cadaver dogs to search a nine-mile stretch of the river. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026

Emergency crews on the ground and in helicopters are scouring the Karakoram mountain range for the 10 climbers, including one American, who are believed to be have been on 8,047-meter-tall Broad Peak when an avalanche struck around midday Thursday. — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 31 July 2026

Verb

Troops would need to collect the material from several places, secure an airstrip near each, truck or helicopter the equipment and material to and from the strip, and defend against attacks on the preparations and shipments. — Matthew Bunn, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026

Workers have reported feeling hungry, frustrated and mistreated, with some now discussing paying out of their own pockets to helicopter a food drop into the remote area. — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French hélicoptère, from Greek heliko- + pteron wing — more at feather

First Known Use

Noun

1887, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1952, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing helicopter

• helicopter parent

Rhymes for helicopter

• adopter
• copter

Kids Definition

helicopter

noun

he·​li·​cop·​ter

ˈhel-ə-ˌkäp-tər, 

ˈhē-lə-

: an aircraft that is supported in the air by propellers revolving on a vertical axis