Definition of air in English English dictionary
- Nothing; absence of anything
- The atmospheric substance above the surface of the earth which animals breathe, formerly considered to be a single substance, one of the four basic elements of ancient philosophy and one of the five basic elements of Eastern traditions
- To let fresh air into a room or a building, to ventilate
It's getting quite stuffy in this room: let's open the windows and air it.
- Pretension; snobbishness; pretence that one is better than others
- A feeling or sense
to give it an air of artistry and sophistication.
- A jump in which one becomes airborne
- The apparently open space above the ground; the mass of this substance around the earth
There was a tension in the air which made me suspect an approaching storm.
- Now understood as the mixture of gases comprising the earth's atmosphere
The karate instructor said air is the one thing you can't go five minutes without; when you spar, you have to remember to breathe..
- A song, especially a solo; an aria
If I, said Mr. Collins, were so fortunate as to be able to sing, I should have great pleasure, I am sure, in obliging the company with an air; for I consider music as a very innocent diversion, and perfectly compatible with the profession of a clergyman....
- To bring (something) into contact with the air, so as to freshen or dry it
- To discuss varying viewpoints on a given topic
Thus, in spite of all opposition, the rural and urban assemblies retained the germ of local government, and in spite of the dual control, as the result of which much of their influence was nullified, they did have a certain value in airing abuses and suggesting improvements.
- Any specific gas
- To broadcast, as with a television show
- A sense of poise, graciousness, or quality
He is very plain, undoubtedly--remarkably plain:--but that is nothing compared with his entire want of gentility. I had no right to expect much, and I did not expect much; but I had no idea that he could be so very clownish, so totally without air. I had imagined him, I confess, a degree or two nearer gentility..
- An air conditioner or the processed air it produces
Could you turn on the air?.
- {v} to give or take air, warm a little, dry
- {n} the element in which we breathe, a tune, a gesture, appearance, affected manner
- East; athame; powers of the mind, the ability to analyze and understand, and to breathe, smell and hear; the qualities of the wind, freshness, dawn light, sudden insight, rational thought, perspective; white and pales shades of yellow and pink, birds, insects
- If you air your opinions, you make them known to people. The whole issue was thoroughly aired at the meeting. = express
- (Aria - ah-ree-ah) - one of the four creative elements, associated with the east and with the ritual wand
- If you say that a decision or a situation is up in the air, you mean that it has not yet been completely settled or planned. He told reporters today that the president's trip to Moscow is up in the air. = undecided settled
- If a broadcasting company airs a television or radio programme, they show it on television or broadcast it on the radio. Tonight PBS will air a documentary called `Democracy In Action'. = broadcast + airing air·ing the airing of offensive material
- a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of; "air pollution"; "a smell of chemicals in the air"; "open a window and let in some air"; "I need some fresh air"
- a distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing; "an air of mystery"; "the house had a neglected air"; "an atmosphere of defeat pervaded the candidate's headquarters"; "the place had an aura of romance"
- A jump and flight during which the skier performs acrobatic moves in both moguls and aerials Two airs are required during each mogul run
- our atmosphere, as in: The air quality where I live is not very good <gasp>
- the mass of air surrounding the Earth; "there was great heat as the comet entered the atmosphere"; "it was exposed to the air"
- medium for radio and television broadcasting; "the program was on the air from 9 til midnight"; "the president used the airwaves to take his message to the people"
- If you air a room or building, you let fresh air into it. One day a week her mother systematically cleaned and aired each room
- This is considered the mixture of gases that make up the earth's atmosphere The principal gases that compose dry air are Nitrogen (N2) at 78 09%, Oxygen (O2) at 20 946%, Argon (A) at 0 93%, and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) at 0 033% One of the most important constituents of air and most important gases in meteorology is water vapor (H2O)
- Carriage; attitude; action; movement; as, the head of that portrait has a good air
- Peculiar appearance; apparent character; semblance; manner; style
- {s} of or relating to air; filled-with air; early (Scottish)
- One of the metaphorical elements of astrology Air is associated with the signs of Gemini, Libra, Aquarius; the houses 3rd, 7th and 11th; the planets Mercury, Venus and Uranus Air represents our objective capacity, our perception, the world of the mind and communication, theories, abstractions and detachment
- or as affecting the sensations; as, a smoky air, a damp air, the morning air, etc
- {f} ventilate, aerate; expose, express publicly; broadcast (i.e on radio or television)
- This is considered the misture of gases that make up the earth's atmosphere The principle gases that compose dry air are Nitrogen at 78 084%, Oxygen at 20 946%, Argon at 93%, and Carbon Dioxide 03%
- The representation or reproduction of the effect of the atmospheric medium through which every object in nature is viewed
- disapproval If you say that someone is putting on airs or giving themselves airs, you are criticizing them for behaving as if they are better than other people. We're poor and we never put on airs
- To expose for the sake of public notice; to display ostentatiously; as, to air one's opinion
- One of the 4 classical elements, representing the traits of rational thinking, communication and relating to others The air signs are Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
- noun, verb Abbreviated from aerial The act of riding a skateboard into the air with the intention of landing and continuing to ride Can be done in many ways, but usually refers to transitional ramps
- make public; "She aired her opinions on welfare"
- a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence; "she was humming an air from Beethoven"
- expose to fresh air; "aerate your old sneakers"
- If something is in the air it is felt to be present, but it is not talked about. There was great excitement in the air
- The mixture of gases comprising the earths atmosphere
- expose to cool or cold air so as to cool or freshen; "air the old winter clothes"; "air out the smoke-filled rooms"
- To expose to heat, for the purpose of expelling dampness, or of warming; as, to air linen; to air liquors
- the region above the ground; "her hand stopped in mid air"; "he threw the ball into the air"
- That which surrounds and influences
- One of the five basic elements
- The peculiar look, appearance, and bearing of a person; mien; demeanor; as, the air of a youth; a heavy air; a lofty air
- The mixture of gases that surrounds the earth and forms its atmosphere, composed of, by volume, 21 percent oxygen, 78 percent nitrogen
- If someone is on the air, they are broadcasting on radio or television. If a programme is on the air, it is being broadcast on radio or television. If it is off the air, it is not being broadcast. She is going on the air as presenter of a new show This message did not reach me until after the programme went off the air
- If you air clothing or bedding, you put it somewhere warm to make sure that it is completely dry
- A melody, or a simple tune for voice or instrument, as in Bach's Air on the G String
- If you say that you are walking on air or floating on air, you mean that you feel extremely happy about something. As soon as I know I'm in the team it's like I'm walking on air. cushion vehicle n. Abbr. ACV A usually propeller-driven vehicle designed for traveling over land or water on a supportive cushion of slowly moving, low-pressure air. Also called ground-effect machine, hovercraft. Mixture of gases constituting the earth's atmosphere. Some gases occur in steady concentrations. The most important are molecular nitrogen (N2), 78% by volume, and molecular oxygen (O2), 21%. Small amounts of argon (Ar; 1.9%), neon (Ne), helium (He), methane (CH4), krypton (Kr), hydrogen (H2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and xenon (Xe) are also present in almost constant proportions. Other gases occur in variable concentrations: water vapour (H2O), ozone (O3), carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Air also contains trace amounts of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. The variable constituents are important for maintaining life. Water vapour is the source for all forms of precipitation and is an important absorber and emitter of infrared radiation. Carbon dioxide is necessary for photosynthesis and is also an important absorber and emitter of infrared radiation. Ozone in the stratosphere (see ozone layer) is an effective absorber of ultraviolet radiation from the Sun but at ground-level is a corrosive pollutant and a major constituent of smog. air brake air force Air France Compagnie Internationale Air France air mass air pollution air warfare air conditioning air cushion vehicle compressed air Eastern Air Lines Inc. Royal Air Force United States Air Force United States Air Force Academy
- A particular state of the atmosphere, as respects heat, cold, moisture, etc
- To expose to the air for the purpose of cooling, refreshing, or purifying; to ventilate; as, to air a room
- Number of jumps in a song
- the mixture of gases in the atmosphere ATMOSPHERE the mixture of gases surrounding the earth
- once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles)
- If you say that someone or something has a particular air, you mean that they give this general impression. Jennifer regarded him with an air of amusement
- If someone or something disappears into thin air, they disappear completely. If someone or something appears out of thin air, they appear suddenly and mysteriously. He had materialized out of thin air; I had not seen or heard him coming
- expose to warm or heated air, so as to dry; "Air linen"
- It's big, it's bad, it isn't the stuff you breathe - it's the stuff you get Riding in the space shuttle; in suicide off the Chrysler Building; and most importantly your ride Roadies don't normally get much air If riders in the Tour get air it's usually because something went horribly wrong See, roundabout
- broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television; "We cannot air this X-rated song"
- n space between the tires and the ground It doesn't count unless Both tires are off the ground!
- a slight wind (usually refreshing); "the breeze was cooled by the lake"; "as he waited he could feel the air on his neck"
- Air Chief Marshal
- The most senior rank active in the Royal Air Force
- Air Commodore
- The fourth most senior rank active in the Royal Air Force, ranking above Group Captain and immediately below Air Vice Marshal
- Air Force
- Sports teams representing the United States Air Force Academy
- Air Force
- The
- Air Marshal
- the second most senior rank active in the Royal Air Force, ranking above Air Vice Marshal and below Air Chief Marshal
- Air Marshals
- plural form of Air Marshal
- Air Sea Rescue
- an emergency service, often operated by a branch of the armed forces that serves to rescue people at sea, or stranded on a coast, normally with the use of helicopters
- Air Vice Marshal
- the third most senior rank active in the Royal Air Force, ranking above Air Commodore and immediately below Air Marshal
- Air Vice Marshals
- plural form of Air Vice Marshal
- air ambulances
- plural form of air ambulance
- air bag
- A car safety device that deploys when a road vehicle gets in an accident
- air bags
- plural form of air bag
- air ball
- Any ball-like object that widely misses its intended target when thrown
- air ball
- A thrown ball that misses the basket, and completely fails to touch the net or supporting hoop
- air balls
- plural form of air ball
- air bases
- plural form of air base
- air bed
- A bed that is inflated with air and used as a permanent or temporary bed. They are adjustable, and sometimes portable
- air beds
- plural form of air bed
- air bladder
- An internal organ that fish use to control their buoyancy, allowing them to maintain or change depth by changing their density
- air bladders
- plural form of air bladder
- air bounce
- A throw at a downward angle with an upward attitude causing the disc to descend during the beginning of the flight and then rise
He threw a textbook air bounce, under the marker's arms, over the cup's heads.
- air brakes
- plural form of air brake
- air brick
- A brick size block with holes which is embedded in a wall to allow ventilation through it
- air bricks
- plural form of air brick
- air bridge
- A link established by air transport between two points inaccessible by land; a continuing airlift
Berliners referred to both missions as die Luftbrucke - the air bridge..
- air bridges
- plural form of air bridge
- air bubble
- A small pocket of air inside a solid, a liquid or surrounded by a colloid within a larger fluid environment
- air bursts
- plural form of air burst
- air cadets
- plural form of air cadet
- air cargo
- The payload of an aircraft (not counting passengers)
- air carriers
- plural form of air carrier
- air cell
- an air pocket at the bottom end of an egg formed from contraption of the egg's contents through loss of moisture and cooling from its initial filled state
- air cells
- plural form of air cell
- air chamber
- a chamber, in a hydraulic system, in which air (or some other gas) is compressed to regulate the flow of a fluid
- air cleaner
- any device that filters or otherwise cleans air; an air purifier
- air code
- code created without a compiler
- air compressor
- A machine for generating compressed air, typically for use by air-powered tools or paint sprayers
- air conditioner
- A machine that is used to control temperature and humidity in an enclosed space
- air conditioners
- plural form of air conditioner
- air conditioning
- The state of temperature and humidity produced by an air conditioner
- air conditioning
- Present participle of air-condition
- air conditioning
- An air conditioner or system of air conditioners
This car has air conditioning.
- air corridor
- A predefined route, or series of routes, in which a commercial or military aircraft must fly
- air cushion
- a shock absorber that uses an air chamber
- air cushion
- a layer of trapped air that supports a hovercraft
- air cushion
- a rubber or plastic inflatable cushion
- air display
- An air show
Lockheed 1011 Tristar, in markings of British European Airways, was a major attraction at the Farnborough air display.
- air drainage
- General term for gravity-induced, downslope flow of relatively cold air. Winds thus produced are called gravity winds
- air du temps
- Current popular opinion or trends of a very large group of people, a city or a country
What's hip with your kids: Emo is the air du temps in teenage fashion and music.
- air duct
- A duct, through which air is forced or extracted, that forms part of a building's air conditioning and ventilation system
- air ducts
- plural form of air duct
- air filter
- A filter for removing dust and other particles from a stream of air, typically used in the air intake of an internal combustion engine, the output of an air compressor, the supply duct of a forced-air furnace, etc
- air filters
- plural form of air filter
- air flows
- plural form of air flow
- air force
- a unit in the U.S. Air Force larger than a division but smaller than a command
- air force
- A branch of the military mainly devoted to air warfare, as opposed to (land) army and navy
- air forces
- plural form of air force
- air freshener
- Any of many forms of device containing substances that neutralize or mask unpleasant odours
- air guitar
- An imaginary guitar that a listener to (usually rock) music pretends to play
I was embarrassed when a girl I knew walked in on my friends and I playing air guitar.
- air guitarist
- Someone who plays the air guitar
- air guitarists
- plural form of air guitarist
- air guitars
- plural form of air guitar
- air gun
- A gun that propels a projectile by compressed air
- air guns
- plural form of air gun
- air hockey
- A game, played upon a table which lightly spurts air out of various holes on its surface in order to reduce friction, where each player must hit a light flat plastic puck into their opponent's goal using their own plastic mallet
- air hole
- an air pocket
- air hole
- a hole in any surface that allows air or other gases to pass, especially an opening in the surface of a frozen lake etc
- air hole
- the blowhole of a whale
- air hostess
- A female flight attendant
- air intake
- the part of an engine, especially a jet engine, through which air is drawn
- air kerma rate
- the air kerma per unit time
- air kiss
- A social gesture in which the lips are pursed as if kissing, but without actual contact
- air lane
- A designated route used by commercial aircraft when flying from one airport to another
- air lanes
- plural form of air lane
- air letter
- An aerogram; a letter sent by airmail
- air mail
- mail transported by aircraft
- air marshal
- A military rank used by air forces, mostly in Commonwealth countries
- air marshal
- An armed, undercover guard on a commercial-airline flight
- air mass
- a widespread body of air, the properties of which can be identified as:
undergoing specific modifications while in transit away from the source region. An air mass is often defined as a widespread body of air that is approximately homogeneous in its horizontal extent, particularly with reference to temperature and moisture distribution; in addition, the vertical temperature and moisture variations are approximately the same over its horizontal extent.
- air mass classification
- cTk continental-tropical-cold
- air mass classification
- cTw continental-tropical-warm
- air mass classification
- mTk maritime-tropical-cold
- air mass classification
- cAk continental-arctic-cold
- air mass classification
- cPk continental-polar-cold
- air mass classification
- Meteorology. a system used to identify and to characterize the different air masses according to a basic scheme. A number of systems have been proposed, but the Bergeron classification has been the most widely accepted. In this system, air masses are designated first according to the thermal properties of their source regions: tropical (T); polar (P); and less frequently, arctic or antarctic (A). For characterizing the moisture distribution, air masses are distinguished as to continental (c) and maritime (m) source regions. Further classification according to whether the air is cold (k) or warm (w) relative to the surface over which it is moving indicates the low-level stability conditions of the air, the type of modification from below, and is also related to the weather occurring within the air mass. This outline of classification yields the following identifiers for air masses:
- air mass classification
- mPk maritime-polar-cold
- air mass classification
- mAw maritime-arctic-warm
- air mass classification
- cAw continental-arctic-warm
- air mass classification
- mPw maritime-polar-warm
- air mass classification
- cPw continental-polar-warm
- air mass classification
- mAk maritime-arctic-cold
- air mass classification
- mTw maritime-tropical-warm
- air mattress
- A mattress that is inflated with air, and used as a temporary or permanent bed
- air mile
- A unit of distance for air transport; equal to a nautical mile
- air navigation
- the science and technology of determining the position of an aircraft with respect to the surface of the earth and accurately maintaining a desired course
- air out
- To expose to air; to leave open or spread out, as to allow odor or moisture to dissipate
If you air out your sleeping bag after you use it, it will smell better the next time you get in.
- air out
- To discuss in the open
- air parcel
- An imaginary body of air to which may be assigned any or all of the basic dynamic and thermodynamic properties of atmospheric air. A parcel is large enough to contain a very great number of molecules, but small enough so that the properties assigned to it are approximately uniform within it and so that its motions with respect to the surrounding atmosphere do not induce marked compensatory movements. It cannot be given precise numerical definition, but a cubic foot of air might fit well into most contexts where air parcels are discussed, particularly those related to static stability
- air parcels
- plural form of air parcel
- air photo
- Abbreviation of aerial photograph
- air photo
- Abbreviation of aerial photography
- air piracy
- Hijacking of an aircraft
- air pirate
- A person involving in air piracy
- air pirates
- plural form of air pirate
- air pistol
- A pistol that propels a pellet or other projectile by using compressed gas, rather than an explosion of gunpowder or other means
- air pistols
- plural form of air pistol
- air pocket
- a local region of low atmospheric pressure, or a local downward current; especially one that causes an aircraft to lose height suddenly
- air pollutant
- Any substance that gives rise to air pollution
- air pollution
- The contamination of the atmosphere by noxious gases and particulates
- air potato
- A yam species, Dioscorea bulbifera
- air potatoes
- plural form of air potato
- air pressure
- atmospheric pressure
- air pump
- A pump that moves air either into, or out of, something
- air pumps
- plural form of air pump
- air purifier
- A device used to remove impurities from the air, perhaps by means of a filter
- air quote
- A hand gesture resembling a quotation mark acting as the verbal equivalent of a quotation mark. Since quotation marks are usually used in pairs the plural air quotes is more common
- air quotes
- The movement of a speaker's fingers in the air to represent quotation marks
- air rage
- Disruptive behaviour on an aircraft
Repeated incidents of air rage have led to stricter security on airplanes.
- air raid
- An attack on a ground target by military aircraft, especially when dropping bombs
- air raids
- plural form of air raid
- air resistance
- The action of friction that slows something moving through air
- air ride
- An active pneumatic suspension system for a vehicle
- air ride
- The smooth ride in a vehicle resulting from an active pneumatic suspension system, instead of springs or a hydraulic system
- air rifle
- A rifle that propels a pellet or other projectile by using compressed gas, rather than an explosion of gunpowder or other means
- air rifles
- plural form of air rifle
- air rights
- The right to fly over a certain territory
- air rights
- The right to build over an existing property
- air shaft
- a vertical (or near vertical) shaft that supplies ventilation to a tunnel or other underground facility
- air shed
- A region's air supply
- air shed
- The region supplied by a source of air
- air sheds
- plural form of air shed
- air ship
- To transport goods by air
To expedite their arrival they would air ship the parts.
- air ships
- Third-person singular simple present indicative form of air ship
- air show
- a public display of stunt flying, aerobatics, and historical aircraft
- air shows
- plural form of air show
- air sign
- Any of the three star signs Aquarius, Gemini or Libra
- air signs
- plural form of air sign
- air spaces
- plural form of air space
- air sport
- Any recreational activity performed in flight or freefall through the atmosphere
- air sports
- plural form of air sport
- air strike
- An attack on a ground or naval target by one or more aircraft or missiles
- air superiority
- A dominance in the air power of one side's air forces over the other side's during a military campaign. It is defined in the NATO Glossary as "That degree of dominance in the air battle of one force over another that permits the conduct of operations by the former and its related land, sea, and air forces at a given time and place without prohibitive interference by the opposing force."
- air support
- The act of using aircraft to attack an enemy to assist ground military forces
- air supremacy
- In a war, the most favorable state of control of the air. It is defined by NATO and the United States Department of Defense as "that degree of air superiority wherein the opposing air force is incapable of effective interference."
- air suspension
- Vehicle suspension in which compressed air is used as a spring
- air tanker
- Aircraft used to deliver liquids (or powders) from the air, usually either fuel, fire-retardants, or water
If the only air tanker available is 300 miles away, it can still be over your fire in a fairly short period of time.
- air tankers
- plural form of air tanker
- air taxi
- A small aircraft that makes short passenger flights, especially to destinations not serviced by airlines
- air taxis
- plural form of air taxi
- air terminal
- the facility on an airfield or airport where aircraft are loaded and unloaded of passengers or freight