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Definition of quadcopter

quadcopter

/ˈkwɑːdˌkɑːp.tɚ/
quad · cop · ter
Plural:quadcopters
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quadcopter Lexical Profile

quadcopter Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An unmanned multirotor helicopter that is lifted and propelled by four horizontally mounted rotors.

Example

"The photographer used a small quadcopter to capture stunning aerial footage of the rugged coastline."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for quadcopter

Word Nuance & Usage

While often used interchangeably with 'drone' in everyday conversation, 'quadcopter' specifically refers to the four-rotor mechanical design, whereas a 'drone' can be any unmanned vehicle regardless of its propulsion method.

• Nearby Words

qom
qu appelle
quack
quadcopter
quadratrix
quadriplex
quadruplex

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 20th century by combining the prefix 'quad-' (meaning four) with '-copter' (extracted from helicopter, which ultimately derives from Greek 'helix' meaning spiral and 'pteron' meaning wing).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Quadcopter. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 22, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/quadcopter
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