air
♦♦♦ air /'eər/ (airs airing aired)
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Air is the mixture of gases which forms the earth's atmosphere and which we breathe.
Draughts help to circulate air...
Keith opened the window and leaned out into the cold air.
...water and air pollutants.
2 [N-SING] the N
The air is the space around things or above the ground.
Government troops broke up the protest by firing their guns in the air...
3 [N-UNCOUNT] usu N n, by N
Air is used to refer to travel in aircraft.
Air travel will continue to grow at about 6% per year...
Casualties had to be brought to hospital by air.
4 [N-SING] with supp, oft N of n
If you say that someone or something has a particular air, you mean that they give this general impression.
Jennifer regarded him with an air of amusement...
5 [N-PLURAL]
If you say that someone is putting on airs or giving themselves airs, you are criticizing them for behaving as if they are better than other people. (INFORMAL)
We're poor and we never put on airs.
6 [VERB] V n
If a broadcasting company airs a television or radio programme, they show it on television or broadcast it on the radio. (mainly AM)
Tonight PBS will air a documentary called `Democracy In Action'.
= broadcast
● airing [N-SING]
...the airing of offensive material.
7 [VERB] be V-ed
If you air your opinions, you make them known to people.
The whole issue was thoroughly aired at the meeting.
= express
8 [VERB] V n
If you air a room or building, you let fresh air into it.
One day a week her mother systematically cleaned and aired each room.
9 [VERB]
If you air clothing or bedding, you put it somewhere warm to make sure that it is completely dry.
10 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you do something to clear the air, you do it in order to resolve any problems or disagreements that there might be.
...an inquiry just to clear the air and settle the facts of the case.
11 [PHRASE]
If something is in the air it is felt to be present, but it is not talked about.
There was great excitement in the air...
12 [PHRASE] v-link PHR, PHR after v
If someone is on the air, they are broadcasting on radio or television. If a programme is on the air, it is being broadcast on radio or television. If it is off the air, it is not being broadcast.
She is going on the air as presenter of a new show...
This message did not reach me until after the programme went off the air.
13 [PHRASE] PHR after v
If someone or something disappears into thin air, they disappear completely. If someone or something appears out of thin air, they appear suddenly and mysteriously.
He had materialized out of thin air; I had not seen or heard him coming.
14 [PHRASE] v-link PHR
If you say that a decision or a situation is up in the air, you mean that it has not yet been completely settled or planned.
He told reporters today that the president's trip to Moscow is up in the air.
= undecided
≠ settled
15 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say that you are walking on air or floating on air, you mean that you feel extremely happy about something.
As soon as I know I'm in the team it's like I'm walking on air.air am|bu|lance (air ambulances)
[N-COUNT] also by N
An air ambulance is a helicopter or plane that is used for taking people to hospital.air base (air bases)
also airbase
[N-COUNT]
An air base is a centre where military aircraft take off or land and are serviced, and where many of the centre's staff live.air brake (air brakes)
[N-COUNT]
Air brakes are brakes which are used on heavy vehicles such as buses and trains and which are operated by means of compressed air.air con|di|tioned
[ADJ]
If a room or vehicle is air conditioned, the air in it is kept cool and dry by means of a special machine.
...our new air conditioned trains.air con|di|tion|er (air conditioners)
[N-COUNT]
An air conditioner is a machine which keeps the air in a building cool and dry.air con|di|tion|ing
[N-UNCOUNT] oft N n
Air conditioning is a method of providing buildings and vehicles with cool dry air.air drop (air drops air dropping air dropped)
also airdrop; air-drop
1 [N-COUNT]
An air drop is a delivery of supplies by aircraft to an area that is hard to get to. The supplies are dropped from the aircraft on parachutes.
2 [VERB]
If a country or organization air drops supplies to a place, it drops supplies there from aircraft.♦ air force (air forces)
[N-COUNT]
An air force is the part of a country's armed forces that is concerned with fighting in the air.
...the United States Air Force...air fresh|en|er (air fresheners)
[N-VAR]
An air freshener is a product people can buy which is meant to make rooms smell pleasant.air host|ess (air hostesses)
[N-COUNT]
An air hostess is a woman whose job is to look after the passengers in an aircraft. (BRIT OLD-FASHIONED; in AM, use stewardess)
= stewardessair miles
[N-PLURAL]
Air miles are points that you collect when you buy certain goods or services and which you can use to pay for air travel.air pis|tol (air pistols)
[N-COUNT]
An air pistol is a small gun which is fired by means of air pressure.air pow|er
also airpower
[N-UNCOUNT]
A nation's air power is the strength of its air force.
We will use air power to protect UN peacekeepers if necessary.air rage
[N-UNCOUNT] oft N n
Air rage is aggressive or violent behaviour by airline passengers.
Most air rage incidents involve heavy drinking.air raid (air raids)
[N-COUNT] oft N on n, N n
An air raid is an attack by military aircraft in which bombs are dropped. This expression is usually used by the country or group that is suffering the attack.
The war began with overnight air raids on Baghdad and Kuwait.air ri|fle (air rifles)
[N-COUNT]
An air rifle is a rifle which is fired by means of air pressure.air strike (air strikes)
also airstrike
[N-COUNT]
An air strike is an attack by military aircraft in which bombs are dropped. This expression is usually used by the country or group that is carrying out the attack.
A senior defence official said last night that they would continue the air strikes.air ter|mi|nal (air terminals)
[N-COUNT]
An air terminal is a building in which passengers wait before they get on to an aeroplane. (mainly BRIT)air time
also airtime
[N-UNCOUNT]
The airtime that something gets is the amount of time taken up with broadcasts about it.
Even the best women's teams get little air time...air traf|fic con|trol
1 [N-UNCOUNT] oft N n
Air traffic control is the activity of organizing the routes that aircraft should follow, and telling pilots by radio which routes they should take.
...the nation's overburdened air-traffic-control system.
2 [N-UNCOUNT-COLL]
Air traffic control is the group of people who organize the routes aircraft take.
They have to wait for clearance from air traffic control.air traf|fic con|trol|ler (air traffic controllers)
[N-COUNT]
An air traffic controller is someone whose job is to organize the routes that aircraft should follow, and to tell pilots by radio which routes they should take.fresh air
[N-UNCOUNT] also the N
You can describe the air outside as fresh air, especially when you mean that it is good for you because it does not contain dirt or dangerous substances.
`Let's take the baby outside,' I suggested. `We all need some fresh air.'hot air
[N-UNCOUNT]
If you say that someone's claims or promises are just hot air, you are criticizing them because they are made mainly to impress people and have no real value or meaning. (INFORMAL)
His justification for the merger was just hot air...sea air
[N-UNCOUNT]
The sea air is the air at the seaside, which is regarded as being good for people's health.
I took a deep breath of the fresh sea air.
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Air is the mixture of gases which forms the earth's atmosphere and which we breathe.
Draughts help to circulate air...
Keith opened the window and leaned out into the cold air.
...water and air pollutants.
2 [N-SING] the N
The air is the space around things or above the ground.
Government troops broke up the protest by firing their guns in the air...
3 [N-UNCOUNT] usu N n, by N
Air is used to refer to travel in aircraft.
Air travel will continue to grow at about 6% per year...
Casualties had to be brought to hospital by air.
4 [N-SING] with supp, oft N of n
If you say that someone or something has a particular air, you mean that they give this general impression.
Jennifer regarded him with an air of amusement...
5 [N-PLURAL]
If you say that someone is putting on airs or giving themselves airs, you are criticizing them for behaving as if they are better than other people. (INFORMAL)
We're poor and we never put on airs.
6 [VERB] V n
If a broadcasting company airs a television or radio programme, they show it on television or broadcast it on the radio. (mainly AM)
Tonight PBS will air a documentary called `Democracy In Action'.
= broadcast
● airing [N-SING]
...the airing of offensive material.
7 [VERB] be V-ed
If you air your opinions, you make them known to people.
The whole issue was thoroughly aired at the meeting.
= express
8 [VERB] V n
If you air a room or building, you let fresh air into it.
One day a week her mother systematically cleaned and aired each room.
9 [VERB]
If you air clothing or bedding, you put it somewhere warm to make sure that it is completely dry.
10 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you do something to clear the air, you do it in order to resolve any problems or disagreements that there might be.
...an inquiry just to clear the air and settle the facts of the case.
11 [PHRASE]
If something is in the air it is felt to be present, but it is not talked about.
There was great excitement in the air...
12 [PHRASE] v-link PHR, PHR after v
If someone is on the air, they are broadcasting on radio or television. If a programme is on the air, it is being broadcast on radio or television. If it is off the air, it is not being broadcast.
She is going on the air as presenter of a new show...
This message did not reach me until after the programme went off the air.
13 [PHRASE] PHR after v
If someone or something disappears into thin air, they disappear completely. If someone or something appears out of thin air, they appear suddenly and mysteriously.
He had materialized out of thin air; I had not seen or heard him coming.
14 [PHRASE] v-link PHR
If you say that a decision or a situation is up in the air, you mean that it has not yet been completely settled or planned.
He told reporters today that the president's trip to Moscow is up in the air.
= undecided
≠ settled
15 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say that you are walking on air or floating on air, you mean that you feel extremely happy about something.
As soon as I know I'm in the team it's like I'm walking on air.air am|bu|lance (air ambulances)
[N-COUNT] also by N
An air ambulance is a helicopter or plane that is used for taking people to hospital.air base (air bases)
also airbase
[N-COUNT]
An air base is a centre where military aircraft take off or land and are serviced, and where many of the centre's staff live.air brake (air brakes)
[N-COUNT]
Air brakes are brakes which are used on heavy vehicles such as buses and trains and which are operated by means of compressed air.air con|di|tioned
[ADJ]
If a room or vehicle is air conditioned, the air in it is kept cool and dry by means of a special machine.
...our new air conditioned trains.air con|di|tion|er (air conditioners)
[N-COUNT]
An air conditioner is a machine which keeps the air in a building cool and dry.air con|di|tion|ing
[N-UNCOUNT] oft N n
Air conditioning is a method of providing buildings and vehicles with cool dry air.air drop (air drops air dropping air dropped)
also airdrop; air-drop
1 [N-COUNT]
An air drop is a delivery of supplies by aircraft to an area that is hard to get to. The supplies are dropped from the aircraft on parachutes.
2 [VERB]
If a country or organization air drops supplies to a place, it drops supplies there from aircraft.♦ air force (air forces)
[N-COUNT]
An air force is the part of a country's armed forces that is concerned with fighting in the air.
...the United States Air Force...air fresh|en|er (air fresheners)
[N-VAR]
An air freshener is a product people can buy which is meant to make rooms smell pleasant.air host|ess (air hostesses)
[N-COUNT]
An air hostess is a woman whose job is to look after the passengers in an aircraft. (BRIT OLD-FASHIONED; in AM, use stewardess)
= stewardessair miles
[N-PLURAL]
Air miles are points that you collect when you buy certain goods or services and which you can use to pay for air travel.air pis|tol (air pistols)
[N-COUNT]
An air pistol is a small gun which is fired by means of air pressure.air pow|er
also airpower
[N-UNCOUNT]
A nation's air power is the strength of its air force.
We will use air power to protect UN peacekeepers if necessary.air rage
[N-UNCOUNT] oft N n
Air rage is aggressive or violent behaviour by airline passengers.
Most air rage incidents involve heavy drinking.air raid (air raids)
[N-COUNT] oft N on n, N n
An air raid is an attack by military aircraft in which bombs are dropped. This expression is usually used by the country or group that is suffering the attack.
The war began with overnight air raids on Baghdad and Kuwait.air ri|fle (air rifles)
[N-COUNT]
An air rifle is a rifle which is fired by means of air pressure.air strike (air strikes)
also airstrike
[N-COUNT]
An air strike is an attack by military aircraft in which bombs are dropped. This expression is usually used by the country or group that is carrying out the attack.
A senior defence official said last night that they would continue the air strikes.air ter|mi|nal (air terminals)
[N-COUNT]
An air terminal is a building in which passengers wait before they get on to an aeroplane. (mainly BRIT)air time
also airtime
[N-UNCOUNT]
The airtime that something gets is the amount of time taken up with broadcasts about it.
Even the best women's teams get little air time...air traf|fic con|trol
1 [N-UNCOUNT] oft N n
Air traffic control is the activity of organizing the routes that aircraft should follow, and telling pilots by radio which routes they should take.
...the nation's overburdened air-traffic-control system.
2 [N-UNCOUNT-COLL]
Air traffic control is the group of people who organize the routes aircraft take.
They have to wait for clearance from air traffic control.air traf|fic con|trol|ler (air traffic controllers)
[N-COUNT]
An air traffic controller is someone whose job is to organize the routes that aircraft should follow, and to tell pilots by radio which routes they should take.fresh air
[N-UNCOUNT] also the N
You can describe the air outside as fresh air, especially when you mean that it is good for you because it does not contain dirt or dangerous substances.
`Let's take the baby outside,' I suggested. `We all need some fresh air.'hot air
[N-UNCOUNT]
If you say that someone's claims or promises are just hot air, you are criticizing them because they are made mainly to impress people and have no real value or meaning. (INFORMAL)
His justification for the merger was just hot air...sea air
[N-UNCOUNT]
The sea air is the air at the seaside, which is regarded as being good for people's health.
I took a deep breath of the fresh sea air.