blimp

¹ American  

[blimp] / blɪmp /

noun

1. a small, nonrigid airship or dirigible, especially one used chiefly for observation.

2. Slang. a fat person.

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verb phrase

1. blimp out to eat too much.

Blimp ² American  

[blimp] / blɪmp /

(sometimes lowercase)

1. Colonel Blimp.

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blimp ¹ British  

/ blɪmp /

noun

1. a small nonrigid airship, esp one used for observation or as a barrage balloon

2. films a soundproof cover fixed over a camera during shooting

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blimp ² British  

/ blɪmp /

noun

1. Also called: Colonel Blimp.  (often capital) a person, esp a military officer, who is stupidly complacent and reactionary

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Etymology

Origin of blimp¹

First recorded in 1915–20; of uncertain origin

Origin of Blimp²

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Looming overhead, the sky is bruised with dark clouds and constellations of fish-like blimps, each the size of a bus.

From Literature

But like the blimp itself, the club began to slowly and steadily take off.

From Los Angeles Times

Chalamet’s marketing deck is full of outrageous, sky-high ideas, like an orange blimp that drops ping pong balls as it sails over Los Angeles.

From Salon

Low and behold, right before Tyler, the Creator’s set, a bright orange blimp reading “Marty Supreme” began circling Dodger Stadium — just as Chalamet prophesied.

From Los Angeles Times

If my heart were a blimp, his unsolicited advice was a needle.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• zeppelin