airbag

American  

[air-bag] / ˈɛərˌbæg /

Or air bag

noun

1. a bag mounted in the interior of a motor vehicle, cushioning the seat occupant by inflating automatically in the event of collision.

2. a very large inflatable safety or cushioning device, as to protect a spacecraft during a landing.

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Etymology

Origin of airbag

First recorded in 1965–70; air ¹ ( def. ) + bag ( def. )

Example Sentences

In her crash last Sunday, Vonn’s airbag deployed.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 15, 2026

Last week PC Cowan told the court he was in a police car with a colleague when a Volkswagen driven by Kastrati crashed into the side of the vehicle and activated the airbag.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

Crucially, officers knew there was a good chance that whoever was at the wheel at the time of the crash might have come into contact with the driver's side airbag as it activated.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

Based on data collected by Waymo, their driverless vehicles had 81% fewer airbag deployment crashes, 78% fewer injury-causing crashes and 62% fewer police-reported crashes than traditional vehicles driving the same distance.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2025

Akira pushed her airbag out of the way.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz