rotorcraft

noun

ro·​tor·​craft ˈrō-tər-ˌkraft How to pronounce rotorcraft (audio)
plural rotorcraft
: an aircraft (such as a helicopter) whose lift is derived principally from rotating airfoils

Examples of rotorcraft in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Monday’s raid amounted to a month’s worth of rotorcraft destruction. David Axe, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025 Dominican officials initially discussed having Henry, 74, fly to Santo Domingo before taking a helicopter across the border, a plan that had been briefed to U.S. and United Nations officials, perhaps using a rotorcraft with night vision for the mission. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025 Light helicopters were first developed in the 1960s as part of a trend to create small, agile rotorcraft for observation, reconnaissance and the transport of troops into challenging terrains. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 2 Mar. 2025 Today’s rotorcraft are also increasingly sophisticated, with faster speeds and greater range. Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 13 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rotorcraft

Word History

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rotorcraft was in 1929

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rotorcraft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotorcraft. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rotorcraft

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!