zeppelin
[zep-uh-lin]
- (often initial capital letter) a large dirigible balloon consisting of a long, cylindrical, covered framework containing compartments or cells filled with gas, and of various structures for holding the engines, passengers, etc.
- any rigid airship or dirigible.
Origin of zeppelin
First recorded in 1900; after Count von Zeppelin
Zeppelin
[tsep-uh-leen, tsep-uh-leen; English zep-uh-lin]
- Count Fer·di·nand von [fer-di-nahnt fuh n] /ˈfɛr dɪˌnɑnt fən/, 1838–1917, German general and aeronaut: designer and manufacturer of the zeppelin.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for zeppelin
Contemporary Examples
Is Led Zeppelin guilty of plagiarizing its most iconic song?
Bios of Led Zeppelin have noted this, and Page has never denied it.
In January 1915 gigantic German Zeppelin airships appeared in the night over London and dropped bombs at random.
Life Under Air Strikes: Children Under Fire Will Never Forget — or ForgiveClive Irving
August 3, 2014
Led Zeppelin made its first U.S. tour as opening act for Spirit, and even performed a cover version of a Spirit song.
I wanted more of that stuff; forget about Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith.
Historical Examples
The Zeppelin, for instance, costs more than $100,000 (these are official figures).
Flying MachinesW.J. Jackman and Thos. H. Russell
On its 36-hour flight in May, 1909, the Zeppelin, carried only eight passengers.
Flying MachinesW.J. Jackman and Thos. H. Russell
I'll be jiggered if the Zeppelin isn't going to have it out with them!
The Boy Scouts on Belgian BattlefieldsLieut. Howard Payson
A bomb shell dropped from a Zeppelin could have had but little more effect.
Mixed FacesRoy Norton
Not until the end of November, 1916, was another Zeppelin attack reported.
zeppelin
- (sometimes capital) a large cylindrical rigid airship built from 1900 to carry passengers, and used in World War I for bombing and reconnaissance
Word Origin
C20: named after Count von Zeppelin
Zeppelin
- Count Ferdinand von (ˈfɛrdinant fɔn). 1838–1917, German aeronautical pioneer, who designed and manufactured airships (zeppelins)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for zeppelin
n.
1900, from German Zeppelin, short for Zeppelinschiff "Zeppelin ship," after Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin (1838-1917), German general who perfected its design.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper