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

Despite the danger airborne particles pose to human health, many have been released legally into the atmosphere. — John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026

The carrier is expected to operate the J-35 stealth fighter and KJ-600 airborne early warning aircraft as China’s carrier aviation continues to mature. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 June 2026

This small but mighty air purifier captures airborne particles in rooms up to 1,000 square feet in size. — Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026

According to the health department, people who breathe in those airborne germs can become infected. — Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 25 June 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