: 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
Caroline’s subsequent diagnosis of influenza A and pneumonia in both lungs required supplemental oxygen, and an eventual airlift to a hospital with a dedicated pediatric unit for more specialized management.
—
Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 9 Nov. 2023
Canada's military has been assisting local firefighters and flying people out on Hercules aircraft as part of what officials called the largest airlift in the territory's history.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2023
The San Diego search-and-rescue pup is trained to look for survivors after an earthquake, building collapse or cliff failure — missions that may require an airlift.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2023
Before Raytheon, Pennington's LinkedIn account says, he was employed by the Air Force for more than eight years as an airlift and special missions aircraft maintainer.
—Natalie Kainz, NBC News, 24 Oct. 2023
Thousands descended upon the Kabul airport, where the U.S. military organized an emergency airlift.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2023
In 1973, C-5s were the backbone of an emergency airlift of supplies to Israel, which had been the victim of a surprise attack by its Arab neighbors.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 18 Aug. 2023
His eyes and lungs are also of concern, authorities said, prompting his airlift to UAB’s trauma ICU.
—William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 15 May 2023
For days, Washington said there were no preparations underway, even as other nations such as Britain, France, Germany, China, India and Turkey organized airlifts and convoys to remove their citizens from the country.
—Rachel Chason, Washington Post, 29 Apr. 2023
See More
Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 9 Nov. 2023
Canada's military has been assisting local firefighters and flying people out on Hercules aircraft as part of what officials called the largest airlift in the territory's history.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2023
The San Diego search-and-rescue pup is trained to look for survivors after an earthquake, building collapse or cliff failure — missions that may require an airlift.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2023
Before Raytheon, Pennington's LinkedIn account says, he was employed by the Air Force for more than eight years as an airlift and special missions aircraft maintainer.
—Natalie Kainz, NBC News, 24 Oct. 2023
Thousands descended upon the Kabul airport, where the U.S. military organized an emergency airlift.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2023
In 1973, C-5s were the backbone of an emergency airlift of supplies to Israel, which had been the victim of a surprise attack by its Arab neighbors.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 18 Aug. 2023
His eyes and lungs are also of concern, authorities said, prompting his airlift to UAB’s trauma ICU.
—William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 15 May 2023
For days, Washington said there were no preparations underway, even as other nations such as Britain, France, Germany, China, India and Turkey organized airlifts and convoys to remove their citizens from the country.
—Rachel Chason, Washington Post, 29 Apr. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'airlift.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1943, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near airlift
Cite this Entry
“Airlift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airlift. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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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
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