Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense airs, present participle airing, past tense, past participle aired
1. uncountable noun
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.
Synonyms: wind, blast, breath, breeze More Synonyms of air
2. singular noun
Theair is the space around things or above the ground.
Government troops broke up the protest by firing their guns in the air.
Smoke seemed to hang in the air.
Synonyms: atmosphere, sky, heavens, aerosphere More Synonyms of air
3. uncountable noun [usually NOUN noun, byN]
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. countable noun [usually with supplement]
An air is a simple tune which can be easily recognized and remembered.
[old-fashioned]
5. singular noun
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. [+ of]
The meal gave the occasion an almost festive air.
Synonyms: manner, feeling, effect, style More Synonyms of air
6. plural noun
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, disapproval]
We're poor and we never put on airs.
7. verb
If a broadcasting company airs a television or radio programme, they show it on television or broadcast it on theradio.
[mainly US]
Tonight PBS will air a documentary called 'Democracy In Action'. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: broadcast, show, cable, beam More Synonyms of air
airingsingular noun
...the airing of offensive material. [+ of]
8. verb
If you air your opinions, you make them known to people.
They sat for more than six hours, and both sides agreed they had aired all theirdifferences. [VERB noun]
The whole issue was thoroughly aired at the meeting. [beVERB-ed]
Synonyms: publicize, tell, reveal, exhibit More Synonyms of air
airingsingular noun [aNOUN]
While we're able to broach the subject of sex, money rarely gets an airing.
Synonyms: exposure, display, expression, publicity More Synonyms of air
9. verb
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. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: ventilate, expose, freshen, aerate More Synonyms of air
airingsingular noun [aNOUN]
Open all the windows of the bedroom and give it a good airing.
Synonyms: ventilation, drying, freshening, aeration More Synonyms of air
10. verb
If you air clothing or bedding, you put it somewhere warm to make sure that it is completely dry.
I ironed the shirts myself, aired them and placed them in drawers in his room. [VERB noun]
11.
See to clear the air
12.
See airs and graces
13.
See in the air
14.
See on the air
15.
See into thin air/out of thin air
16.
See up in the air
17.
See to be walking on air
More Synonyms of air
air in British English
(ɛə)
noun
1.
the mixture of gases that forms the earth's atmosphere. At sea level dry air has a density of 1.226 kilograms per cubic metre and consists of 78.08 per cent nitrogen, 20.95 per cent oxygen, 0.93 per cent argon, 0.03 per cent carbon dioxide, with smaller quantities of ozone and inert gases; water vapour varies between 0 and 4 per cent and in industrial areas sulphur gases may be present as pollutants
2.
the space above and around the earth; sky
▶ Related adjective: aerial
3.
breeze; slight wind
4.
public expression; utterance
to give air to one's complaints
5.
a distinctive quality
an air of mystery
6.
a person's distinctive appearance, manner, or bearing
7. music
a.
a simple tune for either vocal or instrumental performance
b. another word for aria
8.
transportation in aircraft (esp in the phrase by air)
9. an archaic word for breath (sense 1), breath (sense 2), breath (sense 3)
10. Australian informal
the height gained when getting airborne in surfing, snowboarding, etc
11. clear the air
12. give someone the air
13. in the air
14. into thin air
15. off the air
16. on the air
17. out of thin air
18. take the air
19. up in the air
20. walk on air
21. (modifier) astrology
of or relating to a group of three signs of the zodiac, Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius
Compare earth (sense 10), fire (sense 24), water (sense 12)
verb
22.
to expose or be exposed to the air so as to cool or freshen; ventilate
to air a room
23.
to expose or be exposed to warm or heated air so as to dry
to air linen
24. (transitive)
to make known publicly; display; publicize
to air one's opinions
25. (intransitive)
(of a television or radio programme) to be broadcast
Word origin
C13: via Old French and Latin from Greek aēr the lower atmosphere
AIR in British English
abbreviation for
All India Radio
Aïr in British English
(ˈɑːɪə)
noun
a mountainous region of N central Niger, in the Sahara, rising to 1500 m (5000 ft): a former native kingdom. Area: about 77 700 sq km (30 000sq miles)
Also called: Azbine, Asben
Aïr in American English
(ˈɑˌɪr; ɑˈɪr)
mountainous region of the S Sahara, in NC Niger: c. 30,000 sq mi (77,700 sq km)
air in American English
(ɛr; ær)
noun
1.
the elastic, invisible mixture of gases (chiefly nitrogen and oxygen, as well as hydrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, neon, helium, etc.) that surrounds the earth; atmosphere
2.
space above the earth; sky
3.
a.
a movement of air; breeze; wind
b.
cool, refreshing air; fresh air
4.
compressed air
5.
an outward appearance; general impression or feeling given by something
an air of luxury fills the room
6.
a pervading or surrounding influence or condition; general mood or social environment
controversy troubling the air at the convention; an apology designed to clear the air
7.
a person's bearing, manner, or appearance
8. [pl.]
affected, superior manners and graces
9.
public expression or publicity
give air to your opinions
10.
transportation or travel by aircraft
to go by air
11.
the medium through which radio signals are transmitted
12.
air conditioning
13. Music
a.
a song or tune
b.
the main melody in a harmonized composition, usually the soprano or treble part
adjective
14.
of or by aircraft, air forces, etc.
air power, air safety
verb transitive
15.
to let air into or through; put where air can dry, cool, freshen, etc.
16.
to make known publicly; publicize
17.
to broadcast on radio or television
verb intransitive
18.
to become aired, dried, cooled, etc.
19.
to be broadcast on radio or television
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈmelody
Idioms:
give (or get) the air
in the air
on (or off) the air
take the air
up in the air
walk on air
Word origin
ME < OFr < L aer < Gr aēr, air, mist
More idioms containing
air
castles in the air
a breath of fresh air
keep balls in the air
up in the air
pull something out of the air
out of thin air
in the air
hot air
disappear into thin air
clear the air
be walking on air
be left hanging in the air
COBUILD Collocations
air
humid air
night air
pure air
Examples of 'air' in a sentence
air
Planning consent will be refused until the air around the airport meets nitrogen dioxide requirements.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The other option is to clear the air with a general election.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This helps it to benefit from the prevailing winds and use outdoor air for almost all of its cooling.
Computing (2010)
Dry air is poor at conducting electricity, resulting in static electrical charges building up on people.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Make a central air hole, paint with egg.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It still hangs in the air, though all else hangs on it.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was a glorious swansong, and her enormous grin and triumphant punching of the air as she mounted the podium were deliciously infectious.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Plants clean the very air we breathe, trapping pollutants, taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
The Sun (2017)
There is a carnival atmosphere in the air.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Prisoners suffered from a lack of fresh air and almost no exercise or constructive activity.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Only then did they radio for air support.
The Sun (2007)
Cold night air can cause breathing problems.
Lamplugh, Diana & Sterwin, Diana & Nottidge, Pamela Survive the Nine to Five - a woman's guide to working well (1989)
High pressure and slack winds helped to keep the polluted air near the ground.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The mountain air makes you forget about it.
The Sun (2015)
Because all that hot air must be doing considerable damage to something somewhere.
The Sun (2015)
They give off heat and moisture into the cold air above.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Yet there are unavoidable pollutants in the air we breathe.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
She wanted to explode the air around her.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
That sinister threat is left hanging in the air.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He made a fist and punched the air.
Zindell, David The Broken God (1993)
Watch this space for detailed advice on air drying.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You can hear the air in the room.
Christianity Today (2000)
The government knows that money is not going to appear from thin air.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He has been a breath of fresh air and has given us all a belief.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They did not watch the programme when it aired.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Modern kitchens have about them an almost surgical air.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Once during an air raid she noticed a young man sitting alone in the shelter reading a book.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This was set off by a clash of cold air from the north hitting warm air to the south.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The idea is to find pockets of warm air which act like springs and circle in them until you reach cloud base.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
There was a weird atmosphere in the air, the sky went dark then it blew itself out.
The Sun (2007)
Then gently fold in half of the remaining egg white, trying to keep as much air in the mixture as possible.
The Sun (2013)
Before going off air, Geo broadcast images of its logo in chains.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It is the polar opposite of the trendy gastropub, with gas lanterns, small rooms off the main bar and a general air of spit and sawdust.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Quotations
Fresh air keeps the doctor poor
Word lists with
air
Types of composition
In other languages
air
British English: air /ɛə/ NOUN
Air is the mixture of gases which forms the earth's atmosphere and which we breathe.
He opened the window and leaned out into the cold air.
American English: air
Arabic: هَوَاء
Brazilian Portuguese: ar
Chinese: 空气
Croatian: zrak
Czech: vzduch
Danish: luft
Dutch: lucht
European Spanish: aire
Finnish: ilma
French: air vent
German: Luft
Greek: αέρας
Italian: aria
Japanese: 空気
Korean: 공기 바람
Norwegian: luft
Polish: powietrze
European Portuguese: ar
Romanian: aer
Russian: воздух
Latin American Spanish: aire
Swedish: luft
Thai: อากาศ
Turkish: hava
Ukrainian: повітря
Vietnamese: không khí
All related terms of 'air'
on-air
(while) broadcasting or being broadcast
air arm
the aviation section of a national military force, including aircraft, base and support facilities , and personnel
air bag
a safety device in a car, consisting of a bag that inflates automatically in an accident and prevents the passengers from being thrown forwards
air bed
an inflatable mattress
air-con
Air-con is the same as → air conditioning .
air dam
any device, such as a spoiler , that reduces air resistance and increases the stability of a car, aircraft, etc
air-dry
to dry by exposure to the air
air gap
the space between two objects magnetically related, as between the rotor and the stator in a dynamo , or between two objects electrically related, as between the electrode and the tip of a spark plug
air gas
dry air charged with vapor from petroleum or some other hydrocarbon , used for lighting or heating
air gun
a gun operated by means of compressed air
air sac
any of the membranous air-filled extensions of the lungs of birds, which increase the efficiency of gaseous exchange in the lungs
air war
the part of a political campaign that is conducted over the radio and television airwaves by senior politicians
hot air
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 .
mid-air
If something happens in mid-air , it happens in the air, rather than on the ground.
off air
In radio or television, when a programme goes off-air or when something happens off-air , it is not broadcast.
sea air
The sea air is the air at the seaside, which is regarded as being good for people's health.
air alert
the condition in which combat aircraft are airborne and ready for an operation
air ball
a shot that misses the basket , basket rim , and backboard
air base
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 are brakes which are used on heavy vehicles such as buses and trains and which are operated by means of compressed air.
air brick
a ceramic or metal unit the size of a brick , open at the sides for admitting air to a building interior
air cargo
freight transported by aircraft
air cock
a small tap or valve for controlling the entrance or escape of air from a pipe , chamber , etc.
air-cool
to cool (an engine ) by a flow of air
air cover
the use of aircraft to provide aerial protection for ground forces against enemy air attack
air crash
a crash involving one or more aircraft
air-dried
preserved by exposing to the air and allowing to dry
air-dries
to dry by exposure to the air
air drop
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 .
air duct
a pipe or channel permitting air to travel through a system, building, or other structure, such as a mine
air ferry
a ferry service that transports passengers and cars by plane
air fleet
a group of military aircraft, usually under one commander
air force
An air force is the part of a country's armed forces that is concerned with fighting in the air.
air frost
the deposition of ice condensed from water vapour in the atmosphere on the surface when the air temperature is below 0°C
air gauge
a gauge for measuring air pressure
air hole
a hole that allows the passage of air, esp for ventilation
air inlet
an opening in an aircraft through which air is drawn , esp for the engines
air kiss
a kissing gesture , esp one directed towards a person's cheek , made without making physical contact
air lane
a route for travel by air; airway
air lock
an airtight compartment , with adjustable air pressure, between places that do not have the same air pressure, as between the working compartment of a caisson and the outside
air mass
a large body of air having characteristics of temperature , moisture , and pressure that are approximately uniform horizontally
Air Medal
a U.S. military decoration awarded for meritorious achievement during participation in aerial operations
air mile
→ nautical mile
Air Miles
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 miss
a situation in which two aircraft pass very close to one another in the air; near miss
air plant
an epiphyte , esp an orchid of the large Old World tropical genus Aerides, grown for its white scented flowers spotted with red, purple , or rose , or a bromeliad , esp of the genus Tillandsia
air power
A nation's air power is the strength of its air force.
air pump
a device for pumping air in or out of something
air rage
Air rage is aggressive or violent behaviour by airline passengers.
air raid
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.
Chinese translation of 'air'
air
(ɛəʳ)
n
(u) (= atmosphere) 空气(氣) (kōngqì)
⇒ He breathed in the cold night air.他呼吸了夜晚清凉的空气。 (Tā hūxīle yèwǎn qīngliáng de kōngqì.)
(c) (o.f., = tune) 曲调(調) (qǔdiào)
(s) (= appearance) 神情 (shénqíng)
⇒ with an air of superiority摆出高人一等的神情 (bǎichū gāo rén yī děng de shénqíng)
vt
[room]使通气(氣) (shǐ tōngqì)
[clothes]晾干(乾) (liànggān)
[opinions, grievances]发(發)表 (fābiǎo)
(= broadcast)[programme]播放 (bōfàng)
cpd
[travel]乘飞(飛)机(機) (chéng fēijī)
[fare]飞(飛)机(機) (fēijī)
in/into/through the air在/进(進)入/穿过(過)天空 (zài/jìnrù/chuānguò tiānkōng)
⇒ He threw the ball (up) into the air.他把球抛向天空。 (Tā bǎ qiú pāo xiàng tiānkōng.)
by air (= flying) 乘飞(飛)机(機) (chéng fēijī)
to clear the air澄清事实(實) (chéngqīng shìshí)
in the air在空中 (zài kōngzhōng)
up in the air (= undecided) 悬(懸)而未决(決) (xuán ér wèi jué)
to be/come off (the) air[programme, station]停止播放 (tíngzhǐ bōfàng)
to be/go on (the) air[programme, station]正在/开(開)始播放 (zhèngzài/kāishǐ bōfàng)