aerostat

American  

[air-uh-stat] / ˈɛər əˌstæt /

noun

1. any lighter-than-air aircraft, as a balloon or dirigible.

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aerostat British  

/ ˈɛərəˌstæt /

noun

1. a lighter-than-air craft, such as a balloon

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Other Word Forms

• aerostatic adjective

Etymology

Origin of aerostat

First recorded in 1775–85; aero- + -stat

Example Sentences

But they can aid Border Patrol surveillance, running technology like aerostat blimps, helicopters and observation towers, freeing up agents to detain more immigrants, Abbott said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2018

One report said: “Adding a smaller agent-deployed aerostat to the Border Patrol technology toolbox represents an inexpensive solution to provide persistent surveillance and communications.”

From Washington Times • Oct. 17, 2017

“We can assume that an aerostat like this will eventually come back to Earth,” he said.

From Washington Post • Oct. 28, 2015

A frequent source of displeasure was the millions spent until recently on an aerostat balloon and a plane to try to transmit TV signals to Cuba.

From New York Times • Mar. 24, 2015

The aerostat was fairly over the danger-line, and, despite all efforts being made to the contrary, was being drawn directly towards that howling, crashing, thundering mass of destructive energy.

From The Lost City by Badger, Jos. E. (Joseph Edward)