airlift
To transport people or supplies by aircraft, typically in an emergency or when other methods of transportation are blocked or unavailable. It is often used in the context of military operations or humanitarian aid to reach remote or dangerous areas.
Examples
3 of 5The hospital had to airlift the patient to a specialist facility in the city.
The hospital had to transport the patient by air to a specialist facility in the city.
The military was ordered to airlift humanitarian aid to the earthquake survivors.
The military was ordered to transport humanitarian aid by aircraft to the earthquake survivors.
They’re going to airlift some more water into the camp since the roads are flooded.
They are going to fly more water into the camp since the roads are flooded.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'lifting' someone into the 'air' because the ground path is broken or blocked.
Quick Quiz
Because the mountain pass was blocked by snow, the government had to _______ food and blankets to the trapped villagers.
Correct!
The correct answer is: airlift
Examples
The hospital had to airlift the patient to a specialist facility in the city.
everydayThe hospital had to transport the patient by air to a specialist facility in the city.
The military was ordered to airlift humanitarian aid to the earthquake survivors.
formalThe military was ordered to transport humanitarian aid by aircraft to the earthquake survivors.
They’re going to airlift some more water into the camp since the roads are flooded.
informalThey are going to fly more water into the camp since the roads are flooded.
Logistical experts analyze the efficiency of choosing to airlift resources versus using sea freight during crises.
academicLogistical experts analyze the efficiency of choosing to transport resources by air versus using sea freight during crises.
To meet the urgent deadline, the firm decided to airlift the components directly from the manufacturer.
businessTo meet the urgent deadline, the firm decided to transport the components by air directly from the manufacturer.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
airlifted out
Removed from a location via aircraft.
organize an airlift
To plan and execute a transport mission by air.
request an airlift
To ask for transportation by aircraft in an emergency.
Often Confused With
To air-drop means to release supplies from a plane with parachutes, while to airlift usually means the plane lands to load or unload.
Airmail refers specifically to sending letters or small packages through the postal service via aircraft.
Usage Notes
Use 'airlift' when the situation involves an emergency, a rescue, or the movement of large quantities of goods to an inaccessible area. It is both a verb and a noun.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'fly' for everything, but 'airlift' is more precise when describing a specific logistics or rescue mission.
Memory Tip
Think of 'lifting' someone into the 'air' because the ground path is broken or blocked.
Word Origin
A 20th-century compound word formed from 'air' and 'lift', popularized during the logistical challenges of World War II and the Berlin Airlift.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The word is most famously associated with the Berlin Airlift (1948–1949), where Western Allies flew supplies into West Berlin during a Soviet blockade.
Quick Quiz
Because the mountain pass was blocked by snow, the government had to _______ food and blankets to the trapped villagers.
Correct!
The correct answer is: airlift
Related Vocabulary
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percent
C1A mathematical term representing a ratio or proportion out of one hundred. It is used extensively to describe changes, statistics, and probabilities in academic and professional contexts.
percentage
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