(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
He played with a brown animal print fit for safari, using it for a range of looks, from a lighter-than-air coat worn with a simple brown dress to a sleeveless evening sparkler.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 13, 2022
The lighter-than-air craft, which belonged first to the army and then to the navy, were a valuable link between the two wings.
From The War in the Air; Vol. 1 The Part played in the Great War by the Royal Air Force by Raleigh, Walter Alexander, Sir
The barely developed but welcome romantic subplots, of which there are three, are lighter than air; indeed you will recognize them before the characters do.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
Airships Unlike planes, airships fly because they are full of gas that is lighter than air.
From NewsForKids.net ● Dec. 7, 2023
In addition to being lighter than air, helium is staunchly unreactive, making it useful for manufacturing sensitive products such as computer chips.
From Science Magazine ● Nov. 5, 2023
However, it is lighter than air, so does not remain on the ground as long as some other dangerous gases do.
From BBC ● Mar. 21, 2022
And because they were polite, Bernard felt positively gigantic—gigantic and at the same time light with elation, lighter than air.
From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley
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.
