(of an aircraft) weighing less than the air it displaces, hence obtaining lift from aerostatic buoyancy.
of or relating to lighter-than-air craft.
having a lower density than that of air
of or relating to an aircraft, such as a balloon or airship, that depends on buoyancy for support in the air
First recorded in 1900–05
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In a debut, Mr. Miyake gave a more silken and nuanced portrayal, shaping his lighter-than-air moments of elevation with turns to give his character an ardent and flourished sweep.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026
For one thing, the ship gets its lift from helium – a lighter-than-air gas that does not burn.
From NewsForKids.net • Dec. 7, 2023
Its balloon program could collapse if the United States decides to notify other countries when lighter-than-air vehicles are heading their way.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2023
Boland — who had over 11,000 hours piloting balloons — was a forerunner of experimental lighter-than-air balloon building.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 2, 2021
The history of engineering does not record in any other science progress comparable to that of the relatively new science of lighter-than-air as represented by the Zeppelins during the four years of war.
From Zeppelin The Story of a Great Achievement by Vissering, Harry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
