Airlift: meaning, definitions and examples

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airlift

 

[ ˈɛərˌlɪft ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

military operation

An airlift is the transportation of supplies or troops by aircraft, often used in military contexts. It is crucial for delivering essential resources to inaccessible areas or during humanitarian crises.

Synonyms

air cargo, air delivery, air transport

Examples of usage

  • The airlift provided food and medicine to the war-torn region.
  • During the Berlin Blockade, the Allied forces organized a massive airlift to supply the city.
  • The military conducted an airlift of soldiers to remote bases.
Context #2 | Verb

transport supplies

To airlift means to transport people or goods by aircraft, typically in circumstances requiring rapid deployment or delivery. This term is often used when referring to urgent needs in disaster relief.

Synonyms

deliver, evacuate, transport

Examples of usage

  • The organization will airlift supplies to the earthquake-affected region.
  • They airlifted injured civilians from the disaster zone.
  • The company plans to airlift its new product to market quickly.

Translations

Translations of the word "airlift" in other languages:

🇵🇹 aerotransporte

🇮🇳 वायु परिवहन

🇩🇪 Luftbrücke

🇮🇩 pengangkutan udara

🇺🇦 повітряний міст

🇵🇱 most powietrzny

🇯🇵 エアリフト

🇫🇷 pont aérien

🇪🇸 puente aéreo

🇹🇷 hava köprüsü

🇰🇷 공중 수송

🇸🇦 جسر جوي

🇨🇿 vzdušný most

🇸🇰 vzdušný most

🇨🇳 空运

🇸🇮 zračni most

🇮🇸 loftbrú

🇰🇿 әуе көпірі

🇬🇪 ჰაეროვანი ხიდი

🇦🇿 hava körpüsü

🇲🇽 puente aéreo

Etymology

The term 'airlift' emerged during the mid-20th century, primarily in the context of military operations. The first significant airlift operation is often associated with the Berlin Airlift of 1948-1949, during which Western Allies flew over 200,000 flights to supply West Berlin after the Soviet blockade. The prefix 'air' denotes the use of aircraft, while 'lift' relates to the action of carrying or raising. In its use, 'airlift' has also widened to encompass humanitarian efforts, commercial logistics, and emergency response situations. As aviation technology progressed, the capacity and efficiency of airlifting supplies and personnel enhanced dramatically, solidifying its place in modern transport lexicon.