From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishairair1 /eə $ er/ ●●● S1 W1 noun 1 gas [uncountable] the mixture of gases around the Earth, that we breathe Let’s go outside and get some fresh air. You need to put some air in the tyres.in the air There was a strong smell of burning in the air. → a breath of fresh air at breath(2)2 → the air3 planes a) by airTTA travelling by, or using, a plane I’d prefer to travel by air. b) TTArelating to or involving planes the victims of Britain’s worst air disaster Air travel was growing rapidly. air traffic congestion His brother died in an air crash.4 → be in the air5 appearance [singular] if something or someone has an air of confidence, mystery etc, they seem confident, mysterious etcair of She had an air of quiet confidence. She looked at him with a determined air.6 → be up in the air7 → be on/off (the) air8 music [countable] a simple tune, often used in the title of a piece of classical music9 → airs10 → be walking/floating on air → hot air, on-air, → clear the air at clear2(15), → disappear/vanish into thin air at thin1(15), → out of thin air at thin1(16)COLLOCATIONSadjectivesfresh She opened the window to let in some fresh air.clean London’s air is cleaner than it has been at any time since 1585.warm/hotWarm air rises and is replaced by cooler and denser air.I felt a sudden rush of hot air.cool/coldThe air had turned a little cooler. crisp (=pleasantly cool)the crisp autumn airclearI looked up to the stars in the clear night air.damp/humidDamp air causes condensation.pollutedThe air in Mexico City is heavily polluted. stale (=not fresh and often full of smoke)The room was full of stale air and tobacco smoke.the air is thin (=there is less oxygen because you are in a high place)People cannot live up there because the air is too thin and there is not enough oxygen to breathe. the morning/evening/night airHe stepped out and breathed in the cold morning air.the sea/mountain/country airthe salty smell of the sea airthe still air (=air in which there is no wind)Smoke from the chimneys hung in the still air.air + NOUNair pollutionMost air pollution is caused by cars.the air qualityThe air quality is very poor on hot days.the air pressureThe air pressure had dropped.phrasesa breath of airI went outside for a breath of air.a rush/blast/stream of airThere was a cold rush of air as she wound down her window.a current of airThe birds are able to glide on a current of warm air.verbsbreathe in the airShe breathed in the cool mountain air.fight/gasp for air (=try to breathe with difficulty)He clutched his throat as he fought for air.let in some air (=let fresh air into a room)It would be nice to open the door and let in some air.put air into something (=fill a tyre, balloon etc with air)I need to put some air in the tyres. GRAMMAR: Patterns with airin the air• You say that something is in the air: The plane was in the air.Put your hands in the air! ✗Don’t say: The plane was on the air. into the air• You say that something goes up into the air: The plane went up into the air.on the air• You say that a TV or radio programme is on the air or on air (=it is broadcast): The show has been on the air for over 30 years.
Examples from the Corpus
air• air pollution• Jennifer better make sure an air bag is handy.• the clean air of the countryside• Alex stood shivering in the cold, damp air.• Ice can crack off into the engine air intakes and cause them to shut down.• But gecko feet work in ionised air, which would cancel out the electrostatic effect.• To his disappointment, Bessie and Edgebone were already sitting there enjoying the night air.• Cars are a major cause of air pollution.• The weight of the air on top of the paper held it down with so much pressure that the stick broke.• Could you turn on the air?• He was uncoordinated, moving his arms through the air and pointing at nothing in particular.• I say they curved through the air by 25 centimetres.• Gobbets of ice sliced through the air.in the air• Green and gold flames danced in the air over the central mountains.• There was a sense of excitement in the air.• A light rain hovers in the air.• But it's different, there's a strange hush in the air and the endless rumbling of 50,000 cannon shells.• I could taste iron in the air, and naphthalene.• If a cat stuck its leg in the air, they all raced off, screaming that they'd seen something move.• The Daughter drew signs in the air with her needles.• That thing throws you up in the air too.airair2 ●○○ verb 1 opinion [transitive] to express your opinions publiclyair your views/grievances/complaints etc Staff will get a chance to ask questions and air their views.► see thesaurus at say2 tv/radio [intransitive, transitive] to broadcast a programme on television or radio KPBS airs such popular children’s programs as ‘Barney’ and ‘Sesame Street’. The program is due to air next month.3 room [transitive] especially British English, air something out American English to let fresh air into a room, especially one that has been closed for a long time4 clothes [intransitive, transitive] especially British English, air (something) out American English to put a piece of clothing in a place that is warm or has a lot of air, so that it smells clean I’ve left my sweater outside to air. → airing, → air your dirty laundry at dirty1(7)→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
air• Voters deserve an opportunity to hear unpleasant alternatives fully debated and aired.• It had probably been the only one aired and ready for the unexpected guest this morning.• Concerns that were aired by many transit executives last month were just a big bureaucratic misunderstanding, says Rep.• The music that's finally being aired, fifty years on.• The newsconference will be aired live at 7 p.m.• He talked about events in the Middle Ages as if they'd happened-yesterday and been fully aired on the nine o'clock news.• So far, only Black Entertainment Television has accepted and aired the 60-second ads.• I hung the blankets on the clothesline to air them out.• Stahl's report is scheduled to air tonight after the news.air your views/grievances/complaints etc• For too long managers have had no authoritative body to express their views or air their grievances.• From the petrol-soaked armchair he aired his views.• Nor do the parties offer their constituents soapboxes on which to air their views.• Today you have a chance to air your views.• A chance for you to air your views and put them to a Government spokesperson.• A chance to air your views and put your questions to the people responsible for the programmes you hear on Radio 2.• The board made room on the agenda for supporters of the team to air their views in a public session Friday.• Rejecting any partition of the country, Cheiffou called upon the rebels to disarm, and to air their grievances through dialogue.Origin air1 1. (1200-1300) Old French Latin aer, from Greek2. (1500-1600) Probably a translation of Italian aria; → ARIA 