dirigible

1 of 2

adjective

di·​ri·​gi·​ble ˈdir-ə-jə-bəl How to pronounce dirigible (audio) də-ˈri-jə- How to pronounce dirigible (audio)
: capable of being steered

dirigible

2 of 2

noun

Examples of dirigible 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.
Adjective
Wikipedia incorrectly lists the flight of the French army dirigible La France as the first roundtrip dirigible flight. Erik Ofgang, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 June 2024 Despite many earlier dirigible flights, Crouch and Grossman agree that the technology only became practical when German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin built and flew the first rigid dirigible in the early 1900s. Erik Ofgang, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 June 2024
Noun
Zeppelins, dirigibles, blimps, and other forms have delivered slow, steady travel over oceans and other areas of the Earth that had been inaccessible to most short-range aircraft. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2024 Models and photos of dirigibles abound in the collection. Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dirigible 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin dirigere

Noun

dirigible (balloon)

First Known Use

Adjective

1581, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dirigible was in 1581

Dictionary Entries Near dirigible

Cite this Entry

“Dirigible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dirigible. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

dirigible

1 of 2 adjective
dir·​i·​gi·​ble
ˈdir-ə-jə-bəl,
də-ˈrij-ə-
: capable of being steered

dirigible

2 of 2 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dirigible

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!