helicopter

1 of 2

noun

he·​li·​cop·​ter ˈhe-lə-ˌkäp-tər 

ˈhē-

: an aircraft whose lift is derived from the aerodynamic forces acting on one or more powered rotors turning about substantially vertical axes

helicopter

2 of 2

verb

helicoptered; helicoptering; helicopters

intransitive verb

: to travel by helicopter

transitive verb

: to transport by helicopter

Synonyms of helicopter

Noun

• chopper

Examples of helicopter in a Sentence

Noun

took a helicopter tour to get a better sense of the grandeur of the Grand Canyon

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The need to close that gap is growing more urgent, thanks to a new generation of ambitious missions that aim to send more landers, rovers and even helicopters to Mars—and beyond. —Leonard David, Scientific American, 6 May 2026

Her wails of pain were audible on TV broadcasts as medics tended to her before a helicopter finally carried her away. —Becky Sullivan, NPR, 6 May 2026

Verb

Navy recovery crews brought the astronauts to the USS John P. Murtha for medical checks before they were slated to helicopter back to land. —Miles Doran, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026

Troops would need to collect the material from several places, secure an airstrip near each, truck or helicopter the equipment and material to and from the strip, and defend against attacks on the preparations and shipments. —Matthew Bunn, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French hélicoptère, from Greek heliko- + pteron wing — more at feather

First Known Use

Noun

1887, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1952, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing helicopter

• helicopter parent

Rhymes for helicopter

• adopter
• copter

Kids Definition

helicopter

noun

he·​li·​cop·​ter

ˈhel-ə-ˌkäp-tər, 

ˈhē-lə-

: an aircraft that is supported in the air by propellers revolving on a vertical axis