airlift

noun

air·​lift ˈer-ˌlift 

: a system of transporting cargo or passengers by aircraft often to or from an otherwise inaccessible area

airlift transitive verb

Examples of airlift in a Sentence

an emergency airlift to deliver supplies to the famine victims

Recent Examples on the Web

Upon discovering the toddler was breathing, authorities immediately organized an emergency airlift to rush the toddler to Phoenix Children's Hospital, CBS News reported, citing the police report. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Our strategy is centered on connecting travelers directly to destinations that are often underserved by existing airlift. — Ramsey Qubein, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Instead, the blockade was becoming a public relations nightmare for Moscow—and the airlift a symbol of Western resolve. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 June 2026

More than 3,000 athletes from 50 states will compete, but only about 800 athletes were lucky enough to fly as part of the airlift. — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 19 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for airlift

• adrift
• facelift
• festschrift
• forklift
• gearshift
• makeshift
• redshift
• sealift
• snowdrift
• spendthrift
• clift
• drift

Kids Definition

airlift

noun

air·​lift ˈa(ə)r-ˌlift 

ˈe(ə)r-

: a system of transporting cargo or passengers by aircraft to or from an area otherwise impossible to reach

airlift verb