air

noun

1. 1

   The substance constituting Earth's atmosphere: a gaseous mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and various trace gases.

   This drill runs on compressed air.

   As you ascend, the air gets thinner.

2. 2

   The substance constituting Earth's atmosphere: a gaseous mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and various trace gases. The substance of the atmosphere seen as an agency of freshness.

   I'm going outside to get some air.

   Open the window and let some air into the room.

3. 3

   historicalThe substance constituting Earth's atmosphere: a gaseous mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and various trace gases. One of the four elements of the ancient Greeks and Romans.

4. 4

   figurativeThe substance constituting Earth's atmosphere: a gaseous mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and various trace gases. The surrounding ambience or mood; see also in the air.

   The air was tense as the judge rose to deliver his verdict.

5. 5

   historicalThe substance constituting Earth's atmosphere: a gaseous mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and various trace gases. A local environment or atmosphere, in the context of its effects on behavior, health, weather, etc.

   Jeeves: Foreign travel often liberates emotions best kept in check, sir. The air of North America is notoriously stimulating in this regard, as witness the regrettable behavior of its inhabitants in 1776. B. Wooster: Hm? What happened in 1776, Jeeves? Jeeves: I prefer not to dwell on it, if it's convenient to you, sir.

   There was a tension in the air which made me suspect an approaching storm.

6. 6

   The apparently open space above the ground which this substance fills, (historical) formerly thought to be limited by the firmament but (meteorology) now considered to be surrounded by the near-vacuum of outer space.

   The flock of birds took to the air.

7. 7

   The substance of the atmosphere on a planet other than Earth.

   The air on Mars is very thin and consists mostly of carbon dioxide.

8. 8

   A breeze; a gentle wind.

9. 9

   A feeling or sense.

   I strode into the room with an important air.

   to give it an air of artistry and sophistication

   He spoke with an air of finality.

   The girl stooped to pluck a rose, and as she bent over it, her profile was clearly outlined. She held the flower to her face with a long-drawn inhalation, then went up the steps, crossed the piazza, opened the door without knocking, and entered the house with the air of one thoroughly at home.

10. 10

    A feeling or sense. A sense of poise, graciousness, or quality.

    "He is very plain, undoubtedly—remarkably plain:—but that is nothing compared with his entire want of gentility. I had no right to expect much, and I did not expect much; but I had no idea that he could be so very clownish, so totally without air. I had imagined him, I confess, a degree or two nearer gentility."

11. 11

    A feeling or sense. Pretension; snobbishness; pretence that one is better than others.

    putting on airs

    He read the letter aloud. Sophia listened with the studied air of one for whom, even in these days, a title possessed some surreptitious allurement.

12. 12

    A melody or song, especially a solo; an aria.

    "If I," said Mr. Collins, "were so fortunate as to be able to sing, I should have great pleasure, I am sure, in obliging the company with an air; for I consider music as a very innocent diversion, and perfectly compatible with the profession of a clergyman[…]"

    The lad, his son, had obtained a Jew's-harp, and learned to play upon it the profane airs of "Yankee Doodle," "Hail Columbia," "St. Patrick's Day," and "Auld Lang Syne."

13. 13

    informalNothing; absence of anything.

14. 14

    An air conditioning system.

    Could you turn on the air?

    Hey, did you mean to leave the airs on all week while you were on vacation?

15. 15

    obsoleteAny specific gas.

16. 16

    The state of being briefly airborne during a jump.

17. 17

    A television or radio signal; (by extension) media broadcasts in general.

    Ernst gave a list of political activists who had been denied access to the air by private broadcasters, and pointed out that "Secretary Hoover's signature in New York sells for $150,000 to $200,000," thus limiting access to the air on the part of labor unions and other underrepresented groups.

    Coming to you live once a month, or whenever I feel like broadcasting a little pirate air.

    “These members need air cover in the media.” Paid media is the admission ticket to enter the big-time Washington stage.

18. 18

    Publicity.

verb

1. 1

   To bring (something) into contact with the air, so as to freshen or dry it.

   I'll hang these clothes on the rack to air them.

2. 2

   To let fresh air into (a room or a building), to ventilate.

   It's getting quite stuffy in this room: let's open the windows and air it.

3. 3

   To make public (an opinion, concern, issue, secret, differences, etc); to present to public view (and sometimes discussion).

   Residents used the public meeting to air their concerns about the poor state of the roads.

   John Mayer has apologised for using a racist epithet in a recent interview with Playboy magazine, after a number of prominent black musicians aired their disapproval.

   Thus, in spite of all opposition, the rural and urban assemblies retained the germ of local government, and in spite of the dual control, as the result of which much of their influence was nullified, they did have a certain value in airing abuses and suggesting improvements.

4. 4

   To broadcast (a television show etc.).

   The BBC decided not to air the controversial episode.

5. 5

   To be broadcast.

   This game show first aired in the 1990s and is still going today.

6. 6

   slangTo ignore (a person).

   Why is this girl airing me?

verb

1. 1

   Variant of arePronunciation spelling of are.

Forms

plural

airs

past tense

aired

past participle

aired

present participle

airing

third person singular

airs