blip

American  

[blip] / blɪp /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

1. (intr) to produce such a noise

Etymology

Origin of blip

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

Example Sentences

CrowdStrike Holdings is having a stellar month, and that hot run isn’t just a momentary blip, according to analysts at Morgan Stanley.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Micron Technology shares were on pace to snap a six-session losing streak Friday, with an analyst likening the recent market freakout over memory stocks to last winter’s DeepSeek saga that ultimately proved a blip.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

But that’s a blip in comparison to Oscar-worthy casting for “Sinners,” placing best actor nominee Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twins called Smoke and Stack.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2026

But that’s probably just a blip, not a new pattern.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

"My daughter's been responsible for setting a few unnatural beauty trends among the younger courtiers. That terrible blip with the sea-blue skin tone, and the trend where courtiers matched their teacup pets."

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• glitch