blimp

¹ American  

[blimp] / blɪmp /

noun

1. a small, nonrigid airship or dirigible, especially one used chiefly for observation.

2. Slang. a fat person.

---

verb phrase

1. blimp out to eat too much.

Blimp ² American  

[blimp] / blɪmp /

(sometimes lowercase)

1. Colonel Blimp.

---

blimp ¹ British  

/ 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 British  

/ blɪmp /

noun

1. Also called: Colonel Blimp.  (often capital) a person, esp a military officer, who is stupidly complacent and reactionary

---

Etymology

Origin of blimp¹

First recorded in 1915–20; of uncertain origin

Origin of Blimp²

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

One of the most common, according to Richeson, is whether the Goodyear Blimp is really, well, a blimp.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 27, 2025

Goodyear offers passenger rides through charity auctions, sweepstakes, corporate partnerships and other invitations, but the opportunities are rare, with only 0.0006% of Americans able to claim they have flown in the famed blimp.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 27, 2025

The blimp even posted a heartfelt confession about its rigidity on Instagram, on which its account has amassed almost 200,000 followers.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 27, 2025

“So when I get to see the blimp, I’m a happy camper.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 27, 2025

She had beady eyes; pointy, coffee-stained teeth; a floppy denim hat, and a denim dress that bulged so much, she looked like a blue-jean blimp.

From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• zeppelin