air > define

noun

• A mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of.
  • usage: "air pollution"; "a smell of chemicals in the air"; "open a window and let in some air"; "I need some fresh air"
• The region above the ground.
  • usage: "her hand stopped in mid air"; "he threw the ball into the air"
• A distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing.
  • usage: "an air of mystery"; "the house had a neglected air"; "an atmosphere of defeat pervaded the candidate's headquarters"; "the place had an aura of romance"
  • synonyms: aura, atmosphere
• A slight wind (usually refreshing. )
  • usage: "the breeze was cooled by the lake"; "as he waited he could feel the air on his neck"
  • synonyms: breeze, zephyr, gentle wind
• The mass of air surrounding the Earth.
  • usage: "there was great heat as the comet entered the atmosphere"; "it was exposed to the air"
  • synonyms: atmosphere
• Once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles. )
• A succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence.
  • usage: "she was humming an air from Beethoven"
  • synonyms: tune, melody, strain, melodic line, line, melodic phrase
• Medium for radio and television broadcasting.
  • usage: "the program was on the air from 9 til midnight"; "the president used the airwaves to take his message to the people"
  • synonyms: airwave
• Travel via aircraft.
  • usage: "air travel involves too much waiting in airports"; "if you've time to spare go by air"
  • synonyms: air travel, aviation

verb

• Expose to fresh air.
  • usage: "aerate your old sneakers"
  • synonyms: air out, aerate
• Be broadcast.
  • usage: "This show will air Saturdays at 2 P. M."
• Broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television.
  • usage: "We cannot air this X-rated song"
  • synonyms: send, broadcast, beam, transmit
• Make public.
  • usage: "She aired her opinions on welfare"
  • synonyms: publicize, publicise, bare
• Expose to warm or heated air, so as to dry.
  • usage: "Air linen"
• Expose to cool or cold air so as to cool or freshen.
  • usage: "air the old winter clothes"; "air out the smoke-filled rooms"
  • synonyms: vent, ventilate, air out

• (n.) Utterance abroad; publicity; vent.
• (n.) To expose for the sake of public notice; to display ostentatiously; as, to air one's opinion.
• (n.) The fluid which we breathe, and which surrounds the earth; the atmosphere. It is invisible, inodorous, insipid, transparent, compressible, elastic, and ponderable.
• (n.) A particular state of the atmosphere, as respects heat, cold, moisture, etc. or as affecting the sensations; as, a smoky air, a damp air, the morning air, etc.
• (n.) Odoriferous or contaminated air.
• (n.) The peculiar look, appearance, and bearing of a person; mien; demeanor; as, the air of a youth; a heavy air; a lofty air.
• (n.) Air in motion; a light breeze; a gentle wind.
• (n.) Intelligence; information.
• (n.) Symbolically: Something unsubstantial, light or volatile.
• (n.) A musical idea or motive, rhythmically developed in consecutive single tones, so as to form a symmetrical and balanced whole, which may be sung by a single voice to the stanzas of a hymn or song or even to plain prose or played upon an instrument; a melody; a tune; an aria.
• (n.) That which surrounds and influences.
• (n.) An artificial or affected manner; show of pride or vanity; haughtiness; as, it is said of a person, he puts on airs.
• (n.) The representation or reproduction of the effect of the atmospheric medium through which every object in nature is viewed.
• (n.) To expose to the air for the purpose of cooling, refreshing or purifying; to ventilate; as, to air a room.
• (n.) To expose to heat, for the purpose of expelling dampness or of warming; as, to air linen; to air liquors.
• (n.) In harmonized chorals, psalmody, part songs, etc., the part which bears the tune or melody -- in modern harmony usually the upper part -- is sometimes called the air.
• (n.) Peculiar appearance; apparent character; semblance; manner; style.
• (n.) Any aeriform body; a gas; as, oxygen was formerly called vital air.
• (n.) Carriage; attitude; action; movement; as, the head of that portrait has a good air.
• (n.) The artificial motion or carriage of a horse.