helicopter
1 of 2noun
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 2verb
helicoptered; helicoptering; helicopters
intransitive verb
: to travel by helicopter
transitive verb
: to transport by helicopter
Synonyms
Noun
- chopper
- copter
- eggbeater
- helo
- whirlybird
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun took a helicopter tour to get a better sense of the grandeur of the Grand Canyon
Recent Examples on the Web
Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2022 Her grandson Prince William served in the Royal Air Force search and rescue, and Prince Harry served in the British Army as a forward air controller and WAH-64 Apache attack helicopter pilot. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 9 Sep. 2022 He was quickly withdrawn for security reasons, but later returned as an Apache helicopter pilot in 2012. Cnn Staff, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 Sarah Bettencourt was training to become a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot when a neurological disorder forced her to retire. Steve Megargee, ajc, 5 Sep. 2022 Browns special teams coordinator Mike Priefer, a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot who has coached in the NFL for 20 years, had never heard of a player studying his teammates. Marla Ridenour, USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2022 The helicopter pilot briefly captured the first stage but then released it after detecting load characteristics not previously experienced during tests. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 8 Aug. 2022 The university offered a course meant to allow a helicopter pilot to transition their skills into an airplane certification, combining that training with prerequisite courses that would together result in a full-tuition load. Alec Macgillis, ProPublica, 28 July 2022 Jaworowski went to school at St. Agnes with his sister, and Prombo ended up serving as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. Bill Jones, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2022 David Kaufman, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2022 In the next 50 years, a man may be able to helicopter right out of his backyard and onto the roof of his office building. Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, 11 Jan. 2022 Helicopter in for the game, then helicopter out and everyone loves you. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 27 Nov. 2021 Assuming the lava sticks around for a bit and doesn’t retreat back underground, visitation to the National Park will surely increase, as will helicopter fly-over tours. Will Mcgough, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2021 The other interesting thing that happened last year was this perfect storm of editors kind of waking up to needing diverse voices, but also the pandemic, which sort of limited people's ability to helicopter into destinations and write about them. Meredith Carey, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2021 Zeta breached the levees protecting Grand Isle in three places and also deposited a shrimp boat on La. 1 heading toward the island, blocking access and forcing first responders to helicopter in to assess damage. Bryn Stole, NOLA.com, 29 Oct. 2020 Rhodes, who was running for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate, helicoptered to Kent to survey the scene. Laura Johnston, cleveland, 3 May 2020 In the fun clip, after Craig’s character picks up the Queen from Buckingham Palace, stunt actors playing them helicoptered across London and parachuted into the venue. Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, 20 June 2019 See More
Noun
The two men did wear military medals on their suits in recognition of their military service, however, which in Prince Andrew's case included a medal for serving as a helicopter pilot in the Falklands War in 1982. Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2022 Her grandson Prince William served in the Royal Air Force search and rescue, and Prince Harry served in the British Army as a forward air controller and WAH-64 Apache attack helicopter pilot. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 9 Sep. 2022 He was quickly withdrawn for security reasons, but later returned as an Apache helicopter pilot in 2012. Cnn Staff, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 Sarah Bettencourt was training to become a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot when a neurological disorder forced her to retire. Steve Megargee, ajc, 5 Sep. 2022 Browns special teams coordinator Mike Priefer, a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot who has coached in the NFL for 20 years, had never heard of a player studying his teammates. Marla Ridenour, USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2022 The helicopter pilot briefly captured the first stage but then released it after detecting load characteristics not previously experienced during tests. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 8 Aug. 2022 The university offered a course meant to allow a helicopter pilot to transition their skills into an airplane certification, combining that training with prerequisite courses that would together result in a full-tuition load. Alec Macgillis, ProPublica, 28 July 2022 Jaworowski went to school at St. Agnes with his sister, and Prombo ended up serving as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. Bill Jones, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2022 Verb
There is a private dock for folks arriving via boat, while visitors who prefer a more dramatic—and expedient—arrival can helicopter in thanks to the helipad at the nearby Poughkeepsie Yacht Club. David Kaufman, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2022 In the next 50 years, a man may be able to helicopter right out of his backyard and onto the roof of his office building. Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, 11 Jan. 2022 Helicopter in for the game, then helicopter out and everyone loves you. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 27 Nov. 2021 Assuming the lava sticks around for a bit and doesn’t retreat back underground, visitation to the National Park will surely increase, as will helicopter fly-over tours. Will Mcgough, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2021 The other interesting thing that happened last year was this perfect storm of editors kind of waking up to needing diverse voices, but also the pandemic, which sort of limited people's ability to helicopter into destinations and write about them. Meredith Carey, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2021 Zeta breached the levees protecting Grand Isle in three places and also deposited a shrimp boat on La. 1 heading toward the island, blocking access and forcing first responders to helicopter in to assess damage. Bryn Stole, NOLA.com, 29 Oct. 2020 Rhodes, who was running for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate, helicoptered to Kent to survey the scene. Laura Johnston, cleveland, 3 May 2020 In the fun clip, after Craig’s character picks up the Queen from Buckingham Palace, stunt actors playing them helicoptered across London and parachuted into the venue. Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, 20 June 2019 See More 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
Kids Definition
helicopter
noun
he·li·cop·ter ˈhe-lə-ˌkäp-tər
ˈhē-
: an aircraft supported in the air by horizontal propellers
helicopters 1 of 2
noun
as in choppers
a vehicle for traveling through the air that obtains its lift from rotors which spin horizontally took a helicopter tour to get a better sense of the grandeur of the Grand Canyon Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- choppers
- copters
- helos
- whirlybirds
- rotorcraft
- eggbeaters
- gyroplanes
- autogyros
- convertiplanes
- autogiros
- convertaplanes
- rotary-wing aircrafts
- tilt-rotors
- slicks
helicopters
2 of 2verb
as in jets
Synonyms & Similar Words
- jets
- rockets
- catapults
- orbits
- planes
- darts
- coasts
- flits
- wings
- dives
- flutters
- stoops
- sails
- floats
- cruises
- sweeps
- hovers
- drifts
- wafts
- aviates
- flies
- glides
- soars
- hangs