Helicopter money refers to a large amount of new money that is printed and distributed to the general public in order to stimulate the economy during a recession or when interest rates fall to zero. It is also known as a helicopter drop because a helicopter scatters supplies from the sky.

Helicopter money is a type of monetary policy where central banks distribute money directly to the public to stimulate the economy. Named after economist Milton Friedman's metaphor of dropping money from a helicopter, this approach aims to increase consumer spending and boost economic activity during periods of low inflation or recession. Unlike quantitative easing, which involves purchasing financial assets to inject liquidity into the banking system, helicopter money directly increases households' disposable income, encouraging immediate spending. It's considered a radical measure and is used as a last resort when traditional monetary policies are ineffective.