In the mid 19th century, the town expanded greatly as a result of immigration and the development of iron works and railway links.

In the 21st century, Airdrie has continued as a regional centre for services and retail, as well as being a commuter settlement within the Central Belt.

Historically part of Lanarkshire, Airdrie forms a conurbation with its neighbour Coatbridge, in what was formerly the Monklands district, with a population of approximately 90,000.

[8] Airdrie's name first appeared in the Register of the Great Seal of Scotland (Latin: Registrum Magni Sigilii Regum Scotorum) in 1373 as 'Ardre'.

Given the topography of the area, the most likely interpretation is that the name derives from the Gaelic An Àrd Ruigh meaning 'a level height' or 'high pasture land'.

[9] A further, non-Gaelic alternative is the Brythonic, i.e. Cumbric or North Welsh, ard tref (becoming ardre by process of assimilation), meaning 'a high steading or farmstead', which would date back to the times of the Kingdom of Strathclyde, before the expansion of Gaelic or English speech into the region.

[10] There is no evidence to support the claim (George Chalmers, Caledonia[14]) that Airdrie is the site of the ancient battle of Arderyth.

[15] Under the patronage of King Malcolm IV of Scotland Cistercian monks established an abbey at Melrose in 1136.

The area of land granted by the Charter is clearly defined by direct reference to geographical and topographical features thus: Dunpeldre by its right boundaries, namely with Metheraugh and Mayeuth and Clarnephin as far as Dunduffes in the east.

Dunduffes has become directly translated into the modern Black Hill which, as the Charter states, lies at the eastern extremity of the parish.

[16] One very important aspect of the town's history was the Cistercian monks of Newbattle Abbey, which is why the area is called the Monklands.

Much of the land they used is known today as 'The Four Isles' (a housing estate named after four Scottish islands): Mull, Islay, Iona and Luing in the Petersburn area of modern Airdrie.

In the 12th century, they established the original Glasgow to Edinburgh road via Airdrie and Bathgate, to link up with their lands in Newbattle in East Lothian.

A large contingent of Airdrieonians fought at the Battle of Bothwell Brig during the Covenanter Rebellion of 1679; their banner can still be viewed at the local library.

In the last decade of the eighteenth century, coal mining was in progress and around thirty colliers were employed.

[7]: 63 In 1824, it was decided to build the Airdrie Town House, originally designed by Alexander Baird and now a local landmark known as the 'town clock'.

Following the codification of association football rules a local team called Excelsior was formed in 1878 which would later be renamed Airdrieonians.

[7]: 112-116 Airdrie Public Observatory, one of only four public observatories in the UK (second oldest and smallest) – all in Scotland, was founded in the first library building in 1896, and is still operated in the present building by the Airdrie Astronomical Association a Scottish astronautic and astronomy society and registered charity.

With this impetus, new companies began to consider Airdrie as a viable option for business and in 1958 Pye opened employing over 1000 people.

[33] In 2024, permission was given for a significant expansion of the town, with the creation of up to 3,000 new homes in East Airdrie on former mining land.

[35] The town forms part of the burgh constituency of Airdrie and Shotts, electing one Member of Parliament (MP) to the House of Commons.

[36] The location has been represented by several prominent Labour MPs in recent years: The current MP for the constituency is the Scottish National Party's Anum Qaisar.

Many Airdrieonians felt short-changed by MDC's actions and a significant political scandal known as Monklandsgate greatly tarnished the council's reputation.

[43] Chapelhall, Calderbank, Caldercruix, Gartness, Glenmavis, Greengairs, Longriggend, Plains, Stand, Upperton, Newhouse and Wattston are generally considered satellite villages of Airdrie.

Airdrie also forms part of NA (or Monklands) sub division which includes Coatbridge and the surrounding area.

It is administered by the Scottish Court Service and part of the South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway Sheriffdom headed by a Sheriff Principal.

In 2010, the Airdrie–Bathgate rail link re-opened providing Airdrie with a direct commuter train service to Bathgate, Livingston North and Edinburgh Waverley.

Airdrie has road links to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Livingston, Motherwell, and Cumbernauld and is situated close to the M8 motorway.

According to the Sustrans website: "there is currently a gap in the National Cycle Network route at Devol Glen, Port Glasgow.

Historical transport links include:- Airdrie is home to Monklands District General Hospital with a 24-hour Accident & Emergency department.