1
: done or being in the air : being off the ground: such as
a
: carried through the air (as by an aircraft)
b
: supported especially by aerodynamic forces or propelled through the air by force
a plane becoming airborne
c
: transported or carried by the air
airborne allergens
2
: trained for deployment by air and especially by parachute
airborne troops
Examples of airborne in a Sentence
Once the plane was airborne I loosened my seat belt.
Thousands of airborne troops parachuted behind enemy lines.
Recent Examples on the Web
Using a range hood while cooking will also help ventilate airborne grease particles—but be sure to wipe the hood down afterward.
—
Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Nov. 2025
The medium-range, air-to-surface missile, known as the ASMPA-R, will be equipped on Rafale fighter jets deployed on the aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle, serving as the airborne component of the country's nuclear deterrent, the French navy said on Thursday.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
Measles, a highly infectious, airborne, respiratory disease caused by a virus, can be spread to others from four days before to four days after the rash appears.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 14 Nov. 2025
The future air wing is expected to include the J-35 stealth fighter, upgraded J-15 variants, the KJ-600 airborne early warning aircraft, and naval drones such as the GJ-11 unmanned combat aircraft.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for airborne
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Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Nov. 2025
The medium-range, air-to-surface missile, known as the ASMPA-R, will be equipped on Rafale fighter jets deployed on the aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle, serving as the airborne component of the country's nuclear deterrent, the French navy said on Thursday.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
Measles, a highly infectious, airborne, respiratory disease caused by a virus, can be spread to others from four days before to four days after the rash appears.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 14 Nov. 2025
The future air wing is expected to include the J-35 stealth fighter, upgraded J-15 variants, the KJ-600 airborne early warning aircraft, and naval drones such as the GJ-11 unmanned combat aircraft.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for airborne
Cite this Entry
“Airborne.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airborne. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
airborne
adjective
air·borne
ˈa(ə)r-ˌbōrn 
-ˌbȯrn,
ˈe(ə)r-
: supported or transported by air
airborne troops
Medical Definition
airborne
adjective
air·borne
-ˌbōrn
: carried or transported by the air
airborne allergens
airborne bacteria
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