zeppelin

noun

zep·​pe·​lin ˈze-p(ə-)lən 

: a rigid airship consisting of a cylindrical trussed and covered frame supported by internal gas cells

broadly : airship

Illustration of zeppelin

Examples of zeppelin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a Grand Palais hung with zeppelin-size versions of the solar system — sun, earth and stars — the designer Matthieu Blazy unveiled his first collection for Chanel. —New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025

Guerrero dreams of terraforming with lasers, electric zeppelins, and forging collaborations in optics, energy efficiency, and space technology. —Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

In October 1923, the silver hull emerged one last time from its shed in Friedrichshafen, following months of trials, making a last zeppelin flight over the German fatherland. —Karen Scanlon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025

And then, in a more whimsical, fantastical register: Why not a hot air balloon or even a zeppelin? —Nicole Trilivas, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for zeppelin

• kraepelin

Kids Definition

zeppelin

noun

zep·​pe·​lin ˈzep-(ə-)lən 

: a long cylindrical passenger balloon that has a metal frame and is driven through the air by engines carried on its underside

Biographical Definition

Zeppelin

biographical name

Zep·​pe·​lin ˌtse-pə-ˈlēn  ˈze-p(ə-)lən 

Ferdinand (Adolf August Heinrich) 1838–1917 Graf von Zeppelin German general and aeronaut