air
air /ɛr/
noun
-
(
)
A mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
(
air
)
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
Air pollution
air pollution
A smell of chemicals in the air
a smell of chemicals in the air
Open a window and let in some air
open a window and let in some air
I need some fresh air
I need some fresh air
-
()
The region above the ground
(
air
)
the region above the ground
Her hand stopped in mid air
her hand stopped in mid air
He threw the ball into the air
he threw the ball into the air
-
()
A distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing
(
atmosphere
, aura
, air
)
a distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing
An air of mystery
an air of mystery
The house had a neglected air
the house had a neglected air
An atmosphere of defeat pervaded the candidate's headquarters
an atmosphere of defeat pervaded the candidate's headquarters
The place had an aura of romance
the place had an aura of romance
-
()
A slight wind (usually refreshing)
(
gentle wind
, zephyr
, air
, breeze
)
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
The breeze was cooled by the lake
the breeze was cooled by the lake
As he waited he could feel the air on his neck
as he waited he could feel the air on his neck
-
()
The mass of air surrounding the Earth
(
air
, atmosphere
)
the mass of air surrounding the Earth
There was great heat as the comet entered the atmosphere
there was great heat as the comet entered the atmosphere
It was exposed to the air
it was exposed to the air
-
Travel via aircraft
(
air
, air travel
, aviation
)
travel via aircraft
Air travel involves too much waiting in airports
air travel involves too much waiting in airports
If you've time to spare go by air
if you've time to spare go by air
-
Medium for radio and television broadcasting
(
air
, airwave
)
medium for radio and television broadcasting
The program was on the air from 9 til midnight
the program was on the air from 9 til midnight
The president used the airwaves to take his message to the people
the president used the airwaves to take his message to the people
-
A succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
(
air
, line
, melodic line
, melodic phrase
, melody
, strain
, tune
)
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
She was humming an air from Beethoven
she was humming an air from Beethoven
-
Once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles)
(
air
)
once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles)
Ancient philosophers, like Empedocles, believed air was one of the essential elements of the universe.
Ancient philosophers, like Empedocles, believed air was one of the essential elements of the universe.
verb
-
()
Expose to fresh air
(
aerate
, air out
, air
)
expose to fresh air
Aerate your old sneakers
aerate your old sneakers
-
Expose to cool or cold air so as to cool or freshen
(
air
, air out
, vent
, ventilate
)
expose to cool or cold air so as to cool or freshen
Air the old winter clothes
air the old winter clothes
Air out the smoke-filled rooms
air out the smoke-filled rooms
-
Expose to warm or heated air, so as to dry
(
air
)
expose to warm or heated air, so as to dry
Air linen
Air linen
-
Make public
(
air
, bare
, publicise
[British] , publicize
)
make public
She aired her opinions on welfare
She aired her opinions on welfare
-
(broadcast medium) broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television
(
air
, beam
, broadcast
, send
, transmit
)
(broadcast medium) broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television
We cannot air this X-rated song
We cannot air this X-rated song
-
(broadcast medium) be broadcast
(
air
)
(broadcast medium) be broadcast
This show will air Saturdays at 2 P.M.
This show will air Saturdays at 2 P.M.
