air*/*/*/

[eə] noun I

1) [U] the mixture of gases that we breathe

She breathed in the cold air.[/ex]

I'd like to open the window – I need some air.[/ex]

2) the air

[singular] the space around things and above the ground

They threw their hats up into the air.[/ex]

birds flying through the air[/ex]

3) [singular] a feeling or attitude

She spoke with her usual air of authority.[/ex]

4) airs

[plural] the false behaviour of someone who is trying to impress other people

My friends are people I trust, and I don't have to put on airs with them.[/ex]

•

by air — travelling in a plane[/ex]

sth is in the air — used for saying that people all have a similar feeling, especially a feeling that something exciting or new is happening[/ex]

Spring is in the air.[/ex]

off air; off the air — no longer broadcasting on radio or television[/ex]

on air; on the air — on radio or television[/ex]

up in the air — if a plan is up in the air, you have not yet decided what will happen[/ex]

See:

clear II,

fresh air,

open air

II

verb

air [eə]

1) [T] to publicly make a complaint or state your opinion

In an interview, the singer aired his views on family life.[/ex]

2) [T] to broadcast something on radio or television

The show was first aired in 1978.[/ex]

3) [I/T] if you air a place or piece of clothing, or if they air, you let fresh air pass through them until they smell clean and fresh