blip

[blip]

noun

1. Also called pip. Electronics.

   1. a spot of light on a radar screen indicating the position of a plane, submarine, or other object.

   2. (loosely) any small spot of light on a display screen.

2. a brief upturn, as in revenue or income.

   The midwinter blip was no cause for optimism among store owners.

3. anything small, as in amount or number.

   a blip of light; Those opposed were merely a blip in the opinion polls.

4. bleep.

5. Slang.,  a nickel; five cents.

6. Movies.,  a mark of synchronization on a sound track.

7. a small or brief interruption, as in the continuity of a motion-picture film or the supply of light or electricity.

   There were blips in the TV film where the commercials had been edited out.

verb (used without object)

blipped, blipping 

1. Informal.,  to move or proceed in short, irregular, jerking movements.

   The stock market has blipped one point higher this week.

verb (used with object)

blipped, blipping 

1. bleep.

blip

/ blɪp /

noun

1. a repetitive sound, such as that produced by an electronic device, by dripping water, etc

2. Also called: pip. the spot of light or a sharply peaked pulse on a radar screen indicating the position of an object

3. a temporary irregularity recorded in performance of something

verb

1. (intr) to produce such a noise

Word History and Origins

Origin of blip¹

1890–95, for an earlier sense; sound symbolism, with p for brevity and abrupt end of the impulse; bl- perhaps from blink

Word History and Origins

Origin of blip¹

C20: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

What most generously believed was a blip, based on the compelling evidence of Slot's first title-winning campaign last season, is now a full-blown crisis for Liverpool and their beleaguered head coach.

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If they do, the latest selloff is likely to be one more blip in the AI boom.

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I am going to go with Bournemouth, because I think what happened against Villa was a blip.

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The struggles will likely turn out to be a blip rather than the start of a sustained downturn, Goldman Sachs says.

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Eventually, the gigantic cow is nothing but a blip in the distance.

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Related Words

• glitch