zeppelin

¹ American  

[zep-uh-lin] / ˈzɛp ə lɪn /

noun

1. (often initial capital letter) a large dirigible balloon consisting of a long, cylindrical, covered framework containing compartments or cells filled with gas, and of various structures for holding the engines, passengers, etc.

2. any rigid airship or dirigible.

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Zeppelin ² American  

[tsep-uh-leen, tsep-uh-leen, zep-uh-lin] / ˌtsɛp əˈlin, ˈtsɛp əˌlin, ˈzɛp ə lɪn /

noun

1. Count Ferdinand von 1838–1917, German general and aeronaut: designer and manufacturer of the zeppelin.

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Zeppelin ¹ British  

/ ˈtsɛpəliːn /

noun

1. Count Ferdinand von (ˈfɛrdinant fɔn). 1838–1917, German aeronautical pioneer, who designed and manufactured airships (zeppelins)

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zeppelin ² British  

/ ˈzɛpəlɪn /

noun

1. (sometimes capital) a large cylindrical rigid airship built from 1900 to carry passengers, and used in World War I for bombing and reconnaissance

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Etymology

Origin of zeppelin

First recorded in 1900; after Count von Zeppelin

Example Sentences

In groundbreaking work published last year, the Harvard team deduced that the stellar halo is tilted and elliptical in shape, like a zeppelin or football.

From Science Daily • Oct. 10, 2023

And Harper asks viewers to hurt themselves suspending their disbelief, most notably in an action sequence where Rachel jumps out of a plane and lands on a zeppelin called The Locker.

From Salon • Aug. 14, 2023

Arooj Aftab is an intriguing pick to close the weekend inside McCurdy Pavilion — an old zeppelin hangar converted into an auditorium — which tells you a lot about THING’s intentions.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 25, 2022

Any mention of hydrogen aircraft means addressing the zeppelin in the room.

From New York Times • Nov. 15, 2021

Heads began to turn and scan the dark sky for the zeppelin, whose gas engine was throbbing clearly in the still air.

From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman

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