Helicopter Meaning
/ˈheliˌkɔptə(ɹ)/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn aircraft that is borne along by one or more sets of long rotating blades which allow it to hover, move in any direction including reverse, or land; and typically having a smaller set of blades on its tail to stabilize the aircraft.
nounA powered troweling machine with spinning blades used to spread concrete.
Sentence Examples
A helicopter is able to take off and land straight up and down.
The helicopter is flying very low.
The remote desert area is accessible only by helicopter.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ landed on the roof to rescue the injured people.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A rescue ____ was sent to the remote mountain peak to save the stranded hikers.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from French hélicoptère, from Ancient Greek ἕλιξ (hélix, “spiral”) + πτερόν (pterón, “wing”). Doublet of helicopteron. By surface analysis, helico- + -pter. The dragonfly sense is from a dragonfly's ability to hover and fly in any direction, like the flying machine.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"I’ve flown in flimsy microlights, soaring serenely above rich farmland. I’ve ridden tactical combat helicopters missions, skimming the desert floor and banking hard around sand dunes."
— 2020 December 5, Nic Robertson, “Saudi Arabia has changed beyond recognition. But will tourists want to visit?”, in CNN:
"Investigators trying to determine what caused last week’s deadly midair collision between a US military Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines plane near Washington, DC, briefed lawmakers Thursday on what they’ve learned after combing through data from both aircraft and air traffic control."
— 2025 February 6, Alexandra Skores, Hanna Park, Andy Rose and Holly Yan, “Senators grill investigators on the midair collision between an American Airlines plane and a Black Hawk military helicopter”, in CNN:
"Car drivers were helicoptered to safety from nearby roads. There were photographs of people canoeing down streets."
— 2023 November 29, Paul Clifton, “West is best in the Highlands”, in RAIL, number 997, page 40:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ landed on the roof to rescue the injured people.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A rescue ____ was sent to the remote mountain peak to save the stranded hikers.