/ Dictionary / Index A air: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: air Pronunciation: (âr), [key] — n. a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and minute amounts of other gases that surrounds the earth and forms its atmosphere. a stir in the atmosphere; a light breeze. overhead space; sky: The planes filled the air. circulation; publication; publicity: to give air to one's theories. the general character or complexion of anything; appearance: His early work had an air of freshness and originality. the peculiar look, appearance, and bearing of a person: There is an air of mystery about him. affected or unnatural manner; manifestation of pride or vanity; assumed haughtiness: He acquired airs that were insufferable to his friends. a tune; melody. the soprano or treble part. an aria. Also,ayre.an Elizabethan art song. aircraft as a means of transportation: to arrive by air; to ship goods by air. air conditioning or an air-conditioning system: The price includes tires, radio, and air. the medium through which radio waves are transmitted. breath. to eliminate dissension, ambiguity, or tension from a discussion, situation, etc.: The staff meeting was intended to help clear the air. He had worked only a few days when he got the air. to be rejected, as by a lover. to be dismissed, as by an employer:He had worked only a few days when he got the air. He was bitter because she gave him the air. to reject, as a lover:He was bitter because she gave him the air. to dismiss, as an employee. in circulation; current: There's a rumor in the air that we're moving to a new location. completely out of sight or reach: He vanished into thin air. The station goes off the air at midnight. not broadcasting:The station goes off the air at midnight. not broadcast; out of operation as a broadcast:The program went off the air years ago. (of a computer) not in operation. The program will be going on the air in a few seconds. in the act of broadcasting; being broadcast:The program will be going on the air in a few seconds. (of a computer) in operation. to assume an affected or haughty manner: As their fortune increased, they began to put on airs. to go out-of-doors; take a short walk or ride. Slang.to leave, esp. hurriedly. to begin broadcasting. The contract is still up in the air. Also,in the air.undecided or unsettled:The contract is still up in the air. Informal.angry; perturbed:There is no need to get up in the air over a simple mistake. to feel very happy; be elated. —v.t. to expose to the air; give access to the open air; ventilate (often fol. by out): We air the bedrooms every day. to expose ostentatiously; bring to public notice; display: to air one's opinions; to air one's theories. to broadcast or televise. —v.i. to be exposed to the open air (often fol. by out): Open the window and let the room air out. to be broadcast or televised. —adj. operating by means of air pressure or by acting upon air: an air drill; an air pump. of or pertaining to aircraft or to aviation: air industry. taking place in the air; aerial: air war. air Pronunciation: (âr), [key] — Scot. Scot. —adj. early. —adv. before; previously. A•ïr Pronunciation: (ä'ēr), [key] — n. 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] artist-in-residence. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: air (Thesaurus) AIP air alert Related Content Daily Word Quiz: gregarious Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language