air-lift

air-lift

A helicopter performs an air-lift to deliver supplies to a remote village.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A system of transporting supplies or people by aircraft, especially in an emergency or when ground access is difficult. This is often a military or humanitarian operation.
    • The cargo or personnel transported by such an operation: the items moved via an airlift.

  2. Verb:

    • To transport (supplies or people) by aircraft, typically in a large-scale or urgent operation.
Usage Examples

  • Noun:

    • The air-lift provided food and medicine to the earthquake victims. (A system of transporting aid by plane.)
    • The entire air-lift was completed in just three days. (The cargo transported during the operation.)

  • Verb:

    • The government decided to air-lift emergency supplies to the flooded region. (To transport by air in an urgent situation.)
    • They air-lifted the injured soldiers to a field hospital. (They moved the wounded by aircraft.)
Advanced Usage

  • "humanitarian air-lift": an operation specifically to deliver aid during a crisis.

    • The United Nations organized a humanitarian air-lift to the refugee camp. (A relief operation by plane.)

  • "military air-lift": an operation to move troops, weapons, or equipment by air.

    • The military air-lift deployed soldiers to the conflict zone. (A large-scale air transport mission.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Airlift (n, v): a common alternative spelling (often used without a hyphen).

    • The airlift of supplies was successful. (The same as "air-lift".)

  • Lift (n): the act of transporting or carrying, often by air in this context.

    • The helicopter provided a lift to the mountain rescue team. (Transport by air.)
Synonyms
  • Airbridge: a continuous route of air transport, especially for military supplies.
  • Airdrop: a method of delivering supplies by dropping them from an aircraft (often without landing).
  • Airborne transport: general movement of goods or people by air.
Phrasal Verbs

  • Air-lift out: to remove (people or cargo) from a location by aircraft.

    • The rescue team air-lifted out the stranded climbers. (They evacuated them by helicopter or plane.)

  • Air-lift in: to bring (supplies or personnel) into a location by aircraft.

    • The government air-lifted in medical teams to the disaster area. (They brought in help by air.)
Related Idioms

  • Lift off: to begin flight (of an aircraft or spacecraft), not directly related but shares the concept of air movement.

    • The plane lifted off at dawn. (It took off from the ground.)

  • On the airlift: being part of or involved in an air transport operation.

    • The troops were on the airlift to the front lines. (They were being transported by air.)