air: Meaning and Definition of

air

Pronunciation: (âr), [key]
— n.
  1. a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and minute amounts of other gases that surrounds the earth and forms its atmosphere.
  2. a stir in the atmosphere; a light breeze.
  3. overhead space; sky: The planes filled the air.
  4. circulation; publication; publicity: to give air to one's theories.
  5. the general character or complexion of anything; appearance: His early work had an air of freshness and originality.
  6. the peculiar look, appearance, and bearing of a person: There is an air of mystery about him.
  7. affected or unnatural manner; manifestation of pride or vanity; assumed haughtiness: He acquired airs that were insufferable to his friends.
    1. a tune; melody.
    2. the soprano or treble part.
    3. an aria.
    4. Also,ayre.an Elizabethan art song.
  8. aircraft as a means of transportation: to arrive by air; to ship goods by air.
  9. air conditioning or an air-conditioning system: The price includes tires, radio, and air.
  10. the medium through which radio waves are transmitted.
  11. breath.
  12. to eliminate dissension, ambiguity, or tension from a discussion, situation, etc.: The staff meeting was intended to help clear the air.
  13. He had worked only a few days when he got the air.
    1. to be rejected, as by a lover.
    2. to be dismissed, as by an employer:He had worked only a few days when he got the air.
  14. He was bitter because she gave him the air.
    1. to reject, as a lover:He was bitter because she gave him the air.
    2. to dismiss, as an employee.
  15. in circulation; current: There's a rumor in the air that we're moving to a new location.
  16. completely out of sight or reach: He vanished into thin air.
  17. The station goes off the air at midnight.
    1. not broadcasting:The station goes off the air at midnight.
    2. not broadcast; out of operation as a broadcast:The program went off the air years ago.
    3. (of a computer) not in operation.
  18. The program will be going on the air in a few seconds.
    1. in the act of broadcasting; being broadcast:The program will be going on the air in a few seconds.
    2. (of a computer) in operation.
  19. to assume an affected or haughty manner: As their fortune increased, they began to put on airs.
    1. to go out-of-doors; take a short walk or ride.
    2. Slang.to leave, esp. hurriedly.
    3. to begin broadcasting.
  20. The contract is still up in the air.
    1. Also,in the air.undecided or unsettled:The contract is still up in the air.
    2. Informal.angry; perturbed:There is no need to get up in the air over a simple mistake.
  21. to feel very happy; be elated.
—v.t.
  1. to expose to the air; give access to the open air; ventilate (often fol. by out): We air the bedrooms every day.
  2. to expose ostentatiously; bring to public notice; display: to air one's opinions; to air one's theories.
  3. to broadcast or televise.
—v.i.
  1. to be exposed to the open air (often fol. by out): Open the window and let the room air out.
  2. to be broadcast or televised.
—adj.
  1. operating by means of air pressure or by acting upon air: an air drill; an air pump.
  2. of or pertaining to aircraft or to aviation: air industry.
  3. taking place in the air; aerial: air war.

air

Pronunciation: (âr), [key]
— Scot. Scot.
—adj.
  1. early.
—adv.
  1. before; previously.

A•ïr

Pronunciation: (ä'ēr), [key]
— n.
  1. a region in N Niger, in the Sahara: low massif and oases. ab. 30,000 sq. mi. (77,700 sq. km). Also called

a-i-r

Pronunciation: [key]
  1. artist-in-residence.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also:
  • air (Thesaurus)