Word
airdrop
Phoneticsair·drop, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɛɹdɹɑp/
UK/ˈeədɹɒp/
Definitions
01delivery from a plane
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the act of dropping food, medicine, or equipment from a plane using a parachute.
n. the delivery of supplies, equipment, or personnel by dropping them from an aircraft in flight, typically using parachutes.
“The military organized an airdrop to bring food to the people trapped by the flood.”
“Following the earthquake, the relief agency coordinated a massive airdrop of medical supplies to the remote mountain villages where roads were blocked.”
Synonyms
02to drop from a plane
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to drop supplies or people from a plane.
v. to deliver goods or personnel via aerial drop from an aircraft.
“The pilots had to airdrop the crates because there was no place to land.”
“The logistics team decided to airdrop the heavy machinery directly into the clearing to save time on ground transport.”
Usage
Often used as a transitive verb taking a direct object.
03sending files wirelessly
B1 · Intermediate Computing Informal
v. to send a photo or file from one phone or computer to another using a wireless connection.
v. to transfer data between devices using a proprietary close-range wireless protocol, specifically Apple's AirDrop.
“Can you airdrop that photo of the sunset to my phone?”
“She asked her colleague to airdrop the presentation slides so she could review them on her tablet during the flight.”
Teaching tip
While technically a brand name, it is commonly used as a lowercase verb in casual conversation.
04cryptocurrency distribution
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Computing Technical
n. a way of giving away free digital money (tokens) to many people at once to promote a new project.
n. the unsolicited distribution of a cryptocurrency token or coin, usually for free, to numerous wallet addresses to encourage adoption.
“I received some free tokens in a recent airdrop from a new tech company.”
“The startup announced an airdrop to reward early adopters and increase the liquidity of their new digital asset.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“The U.S. military on Saturday carried out its first airdrop of aid into Gaza, after the deaths of Palestinians queuing for food underlined the growing humanitarian catastrophe in the crowded coastal enclave after months of Israeli military operations.” “Airdrops are not known for their precision.” Etymology
Borrowed from the military airdrop — supplies dropped from an aircraft — reused for tokens dropped into users' wallets.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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