Air

Definition of AIR

1 a archaic : breath

b : the mixture of invisible odorless tasteless gases (as nitrogen and oxygen) that surrounds the earth

c : a light breeze

2 a : empty space

b : nothingness <vanished into thin air>

c : a sudden severance of relations <she gave me the air>

3 [probably translation of Italian aria]

a : tune, melody

b Elizabethan & Jacobean music : an accompanied song or melody in usually strophic form

c : the chief voice part or melody in choral music

4 a : outward appearance of a thing <an air of luxury>

b : a surrounding or pervading influence : atmosphere <an air of mystery>

c : the look, appearance, or bearing of a person especially as expressive of some personal quality or emotion : demeanor <an air of dignity>

d : an artificial or affected manner <put on airs>

5: public utterance <he gave air to his opinion>

6 : compressed air

7 a (1) : aircraft <go by air>

(2) : aviation <air safety> <air rights> (3) : air force <air headquarters>

b (1) : the medium of transmission of radio waves; also : radio, television <went on the air> (2) : airtime

8 : a football offense utilizing primarily the forward pass <trailing by 20 points, the team took to the air>

9 : an air-conditioning system

10 : the height achieved in performing an aerial maneuver <a snowboarder catching big air>; also : the maneuver itself

— air·less adjective

— air·less·ness noun

— in the air

: in wide circulation : about

— up in the air

: not yet settled

Examples of AIR

• These laws are meant to produce cleaner air.
• A delicious smell filled the air.
• I like to dine outdoors in the open air.
• He can't breathe! Everybody move back and give him some air!
• High in the mountains the air is thin and it can be hard to breathe.
• He pumped air into the bicycle tire.
• The city is wonderful seen from the air.
• the fish of the sea and the birds of the air
• The balloon rose up into the air and then floated through the air.
• There has been heavy fighting on the ground and in the air.