French word

hélicoptère

Pronunciation

IPA/elikɔptɛʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounhelicopter

Example

Un hélicoptère survole la ville.

A helicopter flies over the city.

Illustration for hélicoptère (helicopter)

More examples

Le pilote d'un hélicoptère a évité la tempête.

The helicopter pilot avoided the storm.

Core concept

An aircraft suspended by spinning rotors, able to hover in place and move straight up or down.

Common phrases

  • aller en hélicoptère

    go by helicopter

  • vol en hélicoptère

    helicopter flight

  • pilote d'hélicoptère

    helicopter pilot

Similar words

hélico: A common spoken short form for a helicopter.
avion: An aircraft with fixed wings that takes off from a runway.
drone: A small unmanned aircraft controlled remotely or flown autonomously.

Definition in French

Aéronef à voilure tournante dont les rotors permettent de stationner en vol et d'effectuer des décollages et atterrissages verticaux.

Word origin

French hélicoptère was formed from Greek helix, 'spiral', and pteron, 'wing', describing an aircraft with rotating wings.

Usage tips

  • Hélicoptère is masculine, so standard usage is un hélicoptère and not une hélicoptère.

Word lists with this word