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

Support regional military airlift KONA is intended to occupy a space between light utility aircraft, such as the Cessna C-208, and larger tactical transports such as the C-130. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026

In 2021, two suicide bombers and gunmen attacked crowds of Afghans flocking to Kabul’s airport, transforming a scene of desperation into one of horror in the waning days of an airlift for those fleeing the Taliban takeover of the country. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

The airlift was handled by a UH-60 Blackhawk crew from Knoxville’s 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion, officials said. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026

Additionally, while Iranian officials talk about a ground offensive, Bubiyan and Bahrain are islands, which would necessitate amphibious operations or sizable airlifts. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 27 July 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