dirigible
Americannoun
adjective
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of dirigible
First recorded in 1580–90 for the adjective and in 1885–90 for the noun; from Latin dīrigere, dēregere “to arrange, align, straighten, direct” + English adjective suffix -ible; see direct, -ible
Explanation
A dirigible is an airship, like a giant balloon in the sky that you can steer. Blimps and zeppelins are dirigibles. Dirigibles, also called airships, fly by being lighter than air. This works because a dirigible is like a big hard balloon filled with lighter-than-air gas, such as helium or hydrogen. You've probably seen dirigibles used in advertising, like the Goodyear blimp. A famous dirigible accident was the Hindenburg crash. The rock band Led Zeppelin was going to be called Led Dirigible, but it just didn't sound as cool. Just kidding.
Vocabulary lists containing dirigible
Ender's Game
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The View from Saturday
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Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Because a Goodyear Semi-Rigid Dirigible doesn’t roll off the tongue,” laughed company airship historian Eddie Ogden.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 14, 2017
“Because a Goodyear Semi-rigid Dirigible doesn’t roll off the tongue,” laughed company airship historian Eddie Ogden.
From Washington Times • Mar. 14, 2017
Dirigible travel flourished in the 1920s and 1930s, but "the industry collapsed with the Hindenburg," says John King, a blimp pilot and instructor.
From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 16, 2010
While Cetus-like, 0 thou Dirigible, enormous Lounger Of pendulous auroral beaches .
From Time Magazine Archive
Dirigible balloons are divided into three classes: the rigid, the semi-rigid, and the non-rigid.
From Aviation Engines Design?Construction?Operation and Repair by Pag?, Victor Wilfred
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
