an aircraft without wings that obtains its lift from the rotation of overhead blades
"The rescue team deployed a helicopter to reach the stranded climbers on the steep mountain peak."
An aircraft that is borne along by one or more sets of long rotating blades which allow it to hover, move in any direction including reverse, or land; and typically having a smaller set of blades on its tail that stabilize the aircraft.
"The emergency helicopter hovered silently over the flooded valley before carefully lowering its rescue basket to the stranded hikers."
In plain English: A helicopter is an aircraft that uses spinning blades on top to lift itself and move through the air without needing wheels or wings like other planes.
"The helicopter landed on the roof to deliver emergency supplies to the trapped family."
Usage: Use the noun form when referring to the actual flying vehicle itself, while the verb describes the act of transporting people or goods via that aircraft. Avoid using "helicopter" as a verb if you simply mean moving quickly in general; reserve it specifically for aerial transport scenarios.
To transport by helicopter.
"The rescue team decided to helicopter the injured hiker out of the deep canyon."
In plain English: To helicopter means to hover over something while watching it closely, usually by constantly checking on someone's progress without letting them work alone.
"The pilot hovered above the crowded street, effectively helicoptering over traffic to avoid an accident."
The word comes from French hélicoptère, which combines Ancient Greek words for "spiral" and "wing." This name was chosen because the machine can hover and fly in any direction like a dragonfly.