aloft

adverb \ ə-ˈlȯft \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of aloft

1 : at or to a great height

measuring the winds aloft

2 : in the air; especially : in flight (as in an airplane)

meals served aloft

3 : at, on, or to the masthead or the higher rigging

went aloft to unfurl the sails

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Examples of aloft in a Sentence

The balloon stayed aloft for days.
the ease with which he can hold a ballerina aloft with one hand is awesome

Recent Examples of aloft from the Web

Baresi put a wreath down in front of the section with Milan’s hardcore fans and held aloft a shirt bearing Wilkins’ name.

— daniella matar, chicagotribune.com, "Serie A Recap: Inter, Milan draw in midweek derby clash," 4 Apr. 2018
After the body is formed, it's lifted aloft and placed atop a waiting chassis.

— susan glaser, cleveland.com, "Touring Ohio's Airstream factory: high-end RVs still made (mostly) by hand (photos): Living On," 31 Mar. 2018
There are no hidden strings, just simple physics keeping the tape aloft.

— steve mannheimer, Indianapolis Star, "New art installation at Herron Gallery uses VHS tape to make your eyes buzz," 22 Mar. 2018
Take a look at this video Branson posted showing the competition between his foilboarding and the president's kitesurfing: The president won, besting Branson by staying aloft for 50 more meters.

— sam dangremond, Town & Country, "Richard Branson Taught Barack Obama How to Kitesurf," 7 Feb. 2017
Holding Clark's two sons, ages 3 and 1, aloft, Harris and Barnes announced a college scholarship fund.

— adam elmahrek, latimes.com, "‘Nothing seems to change’: In the wake of Stephon Clark killing, a demand for police reform," 1 Apr. 2018
At stake, bragging rights of who will get to hold their leagues' championship trophy aloft at the end of the season.

— rob manker, Naperville Sun, "Manker: Make-believe fantasy baseball can lead to real-life family connections," 29 Mar. 2018
Other signs held aloft were too far to read by reporters assembled beside the Interstate 35 access road.

— zeke maccormack, San Antonio Express-News, "Canyon High School students stage walkout over gun violence," 21 Mar. 2018
For this sculpture, Mr. Kiefer has cast in lead a colossal open book, carried aloft by eagle’s wings spanning 30 feet.

— hilarie m. sheets, New York Times, "Anselm Kiefer Sculpture Will Go Up at Rockefeller Center," 19 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aloft.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of aloft

Middle English, from Old Norse ā lopt, from ā on, in + lopt air — more at on, loft

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

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aloft Synonyms

aloft

preposition

Definition of aloft

: on top of : above

bright signs aloft hotels

Origin and Etymology of aloft

see ¹aloft

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

ALOFT Defined for English Language Learners

aloft

adverb

Definition of aloft for English Language Learners

: in the air

ALOFT Defined for Kids

aloft

adverb \ ə-ˈlȯft \

Definition of aloft for Students

1 : in the air or in flight

The seven great birds stayed aloft about half an hour …
—E. B. White, The Trumpet of the Swan

2 : at, on, or to the higher rigging of a ship

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See words that rhyme with aloft Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for aloft Spanish Central: Translation of aloft Nglish: Translation of aloft for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of aloft for Arabic speakers

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aloft

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Origin and Etymology of aloft

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