on the air
idiom
variants
or less commonly on air
of a radio or television station, program, etc.
: broadcasting or being broadcast
The interview will be on the air tomorrow.
an interview being shown on air
Examples of on the air in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite being perceived as lesser than other forms of media, the genre often contains some of the most compelling storytelling on the air.
—
Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026
In 1980, his last full year on the air, Cronkite attracted 30 million pairs of eyes to his nightly news program.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
During her time on the air, Clarkson won 24 Daytime Emmy Awards, including four for best daytime talk series and four for best talk show host.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
That extraordinary measure was taken after air traffic controllers were working without pay for over a month, leading to strain on the air traffic system.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for on the air
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Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026
In 1980, his last full year on the air, Cronkite attracted 30 million pairs of eyes to his nightly news program.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
During her time on the air, Clarkson won 24 Daytime Emmy Awards, including four for best daytime talk series and four for best talk show host.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
That extraordinary measure was taken after air traffic controllers were working without pay for over a month, leading to strain on the air traffic system.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for on the air
Cite this Entry
“On the air.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20air. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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