rotorcraft

noun

ro·​tor·​craft ˈrō-tər-ˌkraft 

plural rotorcraft

: an aircraft (such as a helicopter) whose lift is derived principally from rotating airfoils

Examples of rotorcraft in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Research into extra-planetary rotorcraft supports missions like Mars rotorcraft exploration and future planetary science breakthroughs. —Mike Hirschberg, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

These rotorcraft can conduct reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and electronic surveillance without risking human crews. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025

The New Orleans is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock that can carry up to 800 marines in addition to amphibious assault platforms like hovercraft and V-22 Osprey rotorcraft. —John Feng shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025

Amidst an atmosphere of refined revelry catering to glitterati and gearheads alike, this iteration at the Monterey Jet Center featured 275 automobiles and fourteen flying machines—from rotorcraft to private jets. —Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 14 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rotorcraft

• allograft
• autograft
• autographed
• countershaft
• handicraft
• homograft
• hovercraft
• lithographed
• overdraft
• photographed
• telegraphed
• understaffed