/ ˈeəbɔːn; NAmE ˈerbɔːrn/ adjective
1.
[ not before noun ] ( of a plane or passengers ) in the air :
Do not leave your seat until the plane is airborne.
2.
[ only before noun ] carried through the air :
airborne seeds / viruses
—compare waterborne
3.
[ only before noun ] ( of soldiers ) trained to jump out of aircraft onto enemy land in order to fight :
an airborne division