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 wind stirs up pollen into the air, keeping counts high, while rain lowers airborne pollen any time of day, affecting allergies. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026

By taking fuel from tanker aircraft, the bomber can remain airborne for extended periods and conduct global strike missions without relying on nearby bases. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Mar. 2026

Tuberculosis is an airborne disease and spreads when someone with active tuberculosis coughs, speaks, sings or breathes. —Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026

Mission spokeswoman Nancy Lindell said the hospital was equipped and staffed to manage airborne illnesses like measles. —Andrew Jones, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 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