blip

[ blip ]

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 ( def 3 ).
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.

verb (used without object)

, blipped, blip·ping.

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, blip·ping.

1. bleep ( def 5 ).

blip

/ blɪp /

noun

1. a repetitive sound, such as that produced by an electronic device, by dripping water, etc
2. Also calledpip 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

verb

1. intr to produce such a noise

Word History and Origins

Origin of blip¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of blip¹

C20: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Joy spiked anew a day or two before the election when Iowa pollster J. Ann Selzer saw a blip in the data placing Harris three points ahead in the Hawkeye state.

From Salon

But civil discourse has been ground down to a useless nub at this point, and a presidential candidate can share crude jokes about his opponent with barely a blip in the news cycle.

From Salon

And, before Real's Champions League match with AC Milan on Tuesday, Vinicius is ready to show this was merely a blip on his rise to the top of the world.

From BBC

At just 40 years old, anything he said about Trump will soon become just a blip on his radar.

From Salon

Before the Chelsea blip, Potter was described by many as the best English coach around for the attractive brand of football he developed at Brighton.

From BBC

Related Words

• glitch