airdrop

noun

air·​drop ˈer-ˌdräp How to pronounce airdrop (audio)
: delivery of cargo, emergency supplies, or personnel by parachute from an airplane in flight
air-drop transitive verb
air-droppable adjective

Examples of airdrop in a Sentence

The group organized an airdrop of food for the refugees.
Recent Examples on the Web Ryder disputed reports that an airdrop from a U.S. aircraft was to blame. Alex Horton, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 This is not the first time the US government has carried out airdrops over conflict zones. Niamh Kennedy, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024 The move provides one more layer to the extraordinary dynamic that's emerged as the United States has had to go around Israel, its main Mideast ally, and find ways to get aid into Gaza, including through airdrops that started last week. CBS News, 7 Mar. 2024 The amount of aid delivered by a French plane in an airdrop last week was much less than a single truckload. Thomas Fuller, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Aid groups say airdrops should be only a last resort and instead urge the opening of other crossings into Gaza and the removal of obstacles at the few that are open. Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 3 Mar. 2024 Biden announced that the U.S. will be initiating airdrops of food and supplies. Bernard Avishai, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2024 And on top of that, look, the airdrops are very important. Mark Joyella, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Oxfam does not support the move, Paul said, amid reports that U.S. officials were considering airdrops as challenges continue to stall ground distribution of basic goods. NBC News, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'airdrop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of airdrop was in 1943

Dictionary Entries Near airdrop

Cite this Entry

“Airdrop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airdrop. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

airdrop

noun
air·​drop -ˌdräp How to pronounce airdrop (audio)
: delivery of cargo, supplies, or people by parachute from an airplane
air-drop
-ˌdräp
verb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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