airborne

adjective

air·​borne ˈer-ˌbȯrn 

1

: done or being in the air : being off the ground: such as

a

: carried through the air (as by an aircraft)

b

: supported especially by aerodynamic forces or propelled through the air by force

a plane becoming airborne

c

: transported or carried by the air

airborne allergens

2

: trained for deployment by air and especially by parachute

airborne troops

Examples of airborne in a Sentence

Once the plane was airborne I loosened my seat belt.

Thousands of airborne troops parachuted behind enemy lines.

Recent Examples on the Web

The practice became a popular method in Germany to help limit airborne virus particles such as COVID‑19 and lower the risk of respiratory infections. —Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Feb. 2026

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. —Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026

Regular vacuuming, dusting furniture, and changing air filters can significantly decrease airborne particles. —Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026

Picture show The Lesotho Flying Doctor Service is a band of airborne health workers who deliver essential medical care to isolated communities in the southern African nation. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for airborne

• adorn
• blackthorn
• broomcorn
• buckhorn
• buckthorn
• careworn
• firstborn
• foodborne
• forborne
• forewarn
• forlorn
• forsworn

Kids Definition

airborne

adjective

air·​borne ˈa(ə)r-ˌbōrn 

-ˌbȯrn, 

ˈe(ə)r-

: supported or transported by air

airborne troops

Medical Definition

airborne

adjective

air·​borne -ˌbōrn 

: carried or transported by the air

airborne allergens

airborne bacteria