WHIRLYBIRD

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does whirlybird mean? 

• WHIRLYBIRD (noun)
  The noun WHIRLYBIRD has 1 sense:

1. an aircraft without wings that obtains its lift from the rotation of overhead blades

  Familiarity information: WHIRLYBIRD used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WHIRLYBIRD (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An aircraft without wings that obtains its lift from the rotation of overhead blades

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

chopper; eggbeater; helicopter; whirlybird

Hypernyms ("whirlybird" is a kind of...):

heavier-than-air craft (a non-buoyant aircraft that requires a source of power to hold it aloft and to propel it)

Meronyms (parts of "whirlybird"):

blade; vane (flat surface that rotates and pushes against air or water)

landing skid (one of two parts of the landing gear of a helicopter)

rotor (rotating mechanism consisting of an assembly of rotating airfoils)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "whirlybird"):

cargo helicopter (a helicopter that carries cargo)

shuttle helicopter (a helicopter that shuttles back and forth)

single-rotor helicopter (a helicopter having a single rotor)

skyhook (helicopter carrying a reel of steel cable that can be used to lift and transport heavy objects)