blimp

¹

[ blimp ]

noun

1. a small, nonrigid airship or dirigible, especially one used chiefly for observation.
2. Slang. a fat person.

verb phrase

1. Slang. to eat too much.

Blimp

²

[ blimp ]

(sometimes lowercase)

1. Colonel Blimp.

blimp

¹

/ blɪmp /

noun

1. a small nonrigid airship, esp one used for observation or as a barrage balloon
2. films a soundproof cover fixed over a camera during shooting

blimp

²

/ blɪmp /

noun

1. often capital a person, esp a military officer, who is stupidly complacent and reactionary Also calledColonel Blimp

Word History and Origins

Origin of blimp¹

First recorded in 1915–20; of uncertain origin

Origin of blimp²

First recorded in 1930–35

Word History and Origins

Origin of blimp¹

C20: probably from ( type ) B-limp

Origin of blimp²

C20: after a character created by Sir David Low (1891–1963), New Zealand-born British political cartoonist

Example Sentences

Trump and the queen met during the former president's state visit to the United Kingdom in 2018, a trip marred by protests that included a giant blimp depicting him as a baby.

From Salon

Brass blimps carried miniature false suns and tiny rain clouds over a maze of plants.

From Literature

Past years would have demanded a term lamenting Peak TV's glut, but that blimp is contracting.

From Salon

The fire at one of two blimp hangars built in 1942 started Nov. 7 and burned for 24 days.

From Los Angeles Times

Crews on Thursday began deconstructing the remnants of a historic blimp hangar in Tustin that caught fire exactly a month ago and burned for weeks, prompting frustration and fear among residents concerned about air quality.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• zeppelin