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

Noun

• chopper
• copter
• eggbeater
• helo
• whirlybird

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

Rotorcraft like helicopters have the advantage of vertical takeoffs and landings in rough country but haven't much in the way of speed. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2024

The Texas Parks and Wildlife shared a video on social media of a group of endangered desert bighorn sheep being airlifted safely across the sky by a helicopter to relocate them in an effort to help bolster their population. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Verb

So instead of giving in to the temptation to helicopter over them, Dr. Lira de la Rosa suggests asking yourself what, exactly, is behind your urge to invade their privacy. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 5 July 2024

There are helicopter parents and then there are parents who helicopter. —Derek Blasberg, WSJ, 25 Jan. 2023

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

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