1. (

• air

) a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of; "air pollution"; "a smell of chemicals in the air"; "open a window and let in some air"; "I need some fresh air" ;

2. (

• air

) the region above the ground; "her hand stopped in mid air"; "he threw the ball into the air" ;

3. (

• air ,
• aura ,
• atmosphere

) a distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing; "an air of mystery"; "the house had a neglected air"; "an atmosphere of defeat pervaded the candidate's headquarters"; "the place had an aura of romance" ;

4. (

• breeze ,
• zephyr ,
• gentle_wind ,
• air

) a slight wind (usually refreshing); "the breeze was cooled by the lake"; "as he waited he could feel the air on his neck" ;

5. (

• atmosphere ,
• air ,

) the mass of air surrounding the Earth; "there was great heat as the comet entered the atmosphere"; "it was exposed to the air" ;

6. (

• air ,

) once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles) ;

7. (

• tune ,
• melody ,
• air ,
• strain ,
• melodic_line ,
• line ,
• melodic_phrase

) a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence; "she was humming an air from Beethoven" ;

8. (

• air ,
• airwave

) medium for radio and television broadcasting; "the program was on the air from 9 til midnight"; "the president used the airwaves to take his message to the people" ;

9. (

• air_travel ,
• aviation ,
• air

) travel via aircraft; "air travel involves too much waiting in airports"; "if you've time to spare go by air" ;

1. (

• air_out ,
• air ,
• aerate

) expose to fresh air; "aerate your old sneakers" ;

2. (

• air ,

) be broadcast; "This show will air Saturdays at 2 P.M." ;

3. (

• air ,
• send ,
• broadcast ,
• beam ,
• transmit

) broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television; "We cannot air this X-rated song" ;

4. (

• publicize ,
• publicise ,
• air ,
• bare

) make public; "She aired her opinions on welfare" ;

5. (

• air ,

) expose to warm or heated air, so as to dry; "Air linen" ;

6. (

• vent ,
• ventilate ,
• air_out ,
• air

) expose to cool or cold air so as to cool or freshen; "air the old winter clothes"; "air out the smoke-filled rooms" ;