lighter-than-air

adjective

light·​er-than-air ˈlī-tər-thən-ˈer How to pronounce lighter-than-air (audio)
Synonyms of lighter-than-airnext
: of less weight than the air displaced

Examples of lighter-than-air in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An earlier version of this year’s bill would have banned all sales of lighter-than-air balloons in the state. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2026 Still, Leishman said interest in lighter-than-air ships has been cyclical, waxing and waning over time. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 22 Nov. 2025 But even at Thanksgiving, this lighter-than-air pie filling is welcome amid a sea of other, thicker custard pies. — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026 But by the late 19th century, flying via lighter-than-air gases was already close to 100 years old. — Erik Ofgang, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for lighter-than-air

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lighter-than-air was in 1901

Rhymes for lighter-than-air

See All Rhymes for lighter-than-air

Browse Nearby Words

lighter-out
lighter-than-air
lightface
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lighter-than-air.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lighter-than-air. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lighter-than-air

adjective
: able to fly by the use of a gas (as helium or hot air) less dense than the air that would occupy the same amount of space

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