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Airship - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

An airship is a large, lighter-than-air aircraft that floats using gas-filled chambers. It is powered by engines and steered like a ship, often used for transport or observation.

airship

/ˈɛrˌʃɪp/ /ˈeəˌʃɪp/

Definition:

A large aircraft without wings, filled with gas to make it float and propelled by engines.

Synonyms:

dirigible, blimp, zeppelin

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

airplane, helicopter

Common Collocations:

giant airship, steer an airship, airship travel, airship pilot, hydrogen-filled airship

Derivatives:

airships, airshipping

Usage Tips:

Use "airship" to refer to lighter-than-air craft like blimps or zeppelins, not modern airplanes or helicopters.

Common Phrases:

fly an airship, aboard the airship, airship voyage

Etymology:

Derived from "air" + "ship," first used in the late 19th century for gas-filled flying vessels.

Examples:

  • 1. The airship floated gracefully above the city.
  • 2. We took a ride in a historic airship last summer.
  • 3. The Hindenburg was a famous German airship that tragically caught fire.
  • 4. Airships were once considered the future of long-distance travel.

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