blimp

noun

ˈblimp How to pronounce blimp (audio)
1
: an airship that maintains its form by pressure from contained gas
2
Blimp : colonel blimp

Examples of blimp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Two Goodyear Blimps will also take over Detroit's skies that weekend, marking the first double-blimp appearance in Detroit in almost two decades. — Christina Zhang, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 The company flew three illuminated art blimps over the playa at Burning Man in 2025, with no advertising on them. — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 The 17-story-tall South Hangar was built in 1942 to house blimps patrolling the West Coast during World War II, scanning for Japanese submarines. — Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 24 July 2026 Because the blimp was so heavy, it wasn’t supposed to come on the boat. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for blimp

Word History

Etymology

imitative; perhaps from the sound made by striking the gas bag with the thumb

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of blimp was in 1916

Rhymes for blimp

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Browse Nearby Words

blimey
blimp
blimpish
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blimp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blimp. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

blimp

noun
ˈblimp How to pronounce blimp (audio)
: an airship filled with gas like a balloon

More from Merriam-Webster on blimp

Nglish: Translation of blimp for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about blimp

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