tilt-rotor

noun

tilt-ro·​tor ˈtilt-ˌrō-tər How to pronounce tilt-rotor (audio)
: an aircraft that has rotors at the end of each wing which can be oriented vertically for vertical takeoffs and landings, horizontally for forward flight, or to any position in between

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Bell has touted the benefits of its tilt-rotor design, which combines a helicopter’s vertical takeoff and hovering ability with the speed and range of a plane. Joseph Morton, Dallas News, 7 Apr. 2023 Such tilt-rotors also entail significant compromises and trade-offs in the size of the rotors and their placement relative to the wings. IEEE Spectrum, 29 Dec. 2022 Bell has touted the capabilities of its V-280 Valor prototype that features a tilt-rotor design combining the vertical takeoff and hovering ability of a helicopter with the speed and range of an airplane. Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2023 Bell has touted the capabilities of its V-280 Valor prototype, which features a tilt-rotor design combining the vertical takeoff and hovering ability of a helicopter with the speed and range of an airplane. Joseph Morton, Dallas News, 27 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tilt-rotor.' 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

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tilt-rotor was in 1961

Dictionary Entries Near tilt-rotor

Cite this Entry

“Tilt-rotor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tilt-rotor. Accessed 8 Jun. 2023.

More from Merriam-Webster on tilt-rotor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!