airbag

noun

air·​bag ˈer-ˌbag 

variants or air bag

: a bag that is inflated with air typically for use as a cushion or safety device

especially : such a bag installed in an automobile as a safety device designed to inflate automatically in case of collision

Examples of airbag in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jaguar Land Rover North America is recalling more than 250,000 cars over potentially failing airbags. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 25 June 2026

Adams likened the conditions on the boat to having a bunch of teenagers — with no seatbelts or airbags — in the back of a pick-up truck and zipping down an unpaved road. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 June 2026

And unlike hitting a tree or another car, impact with a moose typically doesn’t cause the car to decelerate fast enough to trigger airbags. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 18 June 2026

Chicago police know how to set up task forces that focus on these types of crimes and can respond quickly, and reportedly are already setting up local units to shut down airbag theft crews. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for airbag

• handbag
• ragtag
• sandbag
• ag
• bag
• brag
• dag
• drag
• flag
• gag
• hag
• hagg

Kids Definition

air bag

noun

: an automobile safety device consisting of a bag designed to inflate automatically especially in front of a rider in case of a collision