ballonet

American  

[bal-uh-ney] / ˌbæl əˈneɪ /

noun

1. an air or gasbag compartment in a balloon or airship, used to control buoyancy and maintain shape.

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ballonet British  

/ ˌbæləˈnɛt /

noun

1. an air or gas compartment in a balloon or nonrigid airship, used to control buoyancy and shape

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Etymology

Origin of ballonet

From French, dating back to 1900–05; see origin at balloon, -et

Example Sentences

Two automatic air valves are fitted to the underside of the envelope, one for each ballonet.

From British Airships, Past, Present, and Future by Whale, George

The wind blowing against the opening, which faces it, charges the ballonet with air.

From Aeroplanes and Dirigibles of War by Talbot, Frederick Arthur Ambrose

The envelope contained a single ballonet for regulating the pressure of the gas.

From British Airships, Past, Present, and Future by Whale, George

This attachment serves the purpose of a ballonet.

From Aeroplanes and Dirigibles of War by Talbot, Frederick Arthur Ambrose

This class rise with the forward ballonet empty, and inclined up by the bow.

From Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1913 by Various