helicopter 1 of 2

noun

ˈhe-lə-ˌkäp-tər How to pronounce helicopter (audio)
Definition of helicopternext
as in chopper
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

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helicopter

2 of 2

verb

as in to jet

Related Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of helicopter
Noun
The system is designed to provide short-range protection against drones, helicopters and low-flying aircraft, adding an air-defense layer alongside NMESIS’ anti-ship capability. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026 The Coast Guard has deployed two search and rescue planes as well as a helicopter and a motor lifeboat. — Frank Langfitt, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
Troops would need to collect the material from several places, secure an airstrip near each, truck or helicopter the equipment and material to and from the strip, and defend against attacks on the preparations and shipments. — Matthew Bunn, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026 Workers have reported feeling hungry, frustrated and mistreated, with some now discussing paying out of their own pockets to helicopter a food drop into the remote area. — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for helicopter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helicopter
  1. chopper
  2. jet
  3. rocket
  4. catapult
  5. orbit
Noun
  • Details of medical chopper crash off Catalina emerge Three people died after a medical transport helicopter flying from Santa Catalina Island to the mainland crashed into the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday; two others were rescued and stable.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • This mandoline-style chopper cuts prep time down and comes with multiple interchangeable blades.
    — Sarah Scott, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of chopper
Verb
  • Then, in March, Rodrigo will jet off to Europe for shows in Amsterdam, Munich and Barcelona before wrapping the tour with a pair of shows at London’s O2 Arena.
    — Karla Cote, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The vice president has been one of the most visible surrogates on the midterm campaign trail, jetting to locations such as Kansas, Wisconsin and his native Ohio to promote Republican candidates and the administration’s achievements.
    — Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of jet
Verb
  • Hungarians flocked to the shores and uplands around Lake Balaton — central Europe's largest freshwater lake — sending prices rocketing.
    — Lucy Handley, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • This post was originally published on October 3 Bitcoin has rocketed higher since its creation just over 15 years ago—largely due to a global financial crisis that has ballooned to a $365 trillion emergency.
    — Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of rocket
Verb
  • The Iran war drove up gasoline prices and catapulted inflation to a three-year high.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Chelsea have huge numerical superiority in their own penalty area as Kevin Schade catapults one in from the Brentford left, but only Cole Palmer is in position to contest any second ball out on its edge.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of catapult
Verb
  • With the late morning liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Watkins became the first Black woman to lead a crew to orbit.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The planetary system is among the most studied in our galaxy, and its star is known to host 30 orbiting comets and a giant disk of dust and debris, which NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope photographed in detail in 2015.
    — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of orbit

Browse Nearby Words

helical
helicopter
helicoptered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Helicopter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helicopter. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on helicopter

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about helicopter

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