lighter-than-air

adjective

light·​er-than-air ˈlī-tər-thən-ˈer 

: of less weight than the air displaced

Examples of lighter-than-air in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its elastic Nap smocking and lighter-than-air fabric stay comfortable all the while — even when commuting in 90-degree weather. — Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026

Airships, on the other hand, emit little carbon because their vertical lift comes from lighter-than-air gases such as helium instead of burning fuel during diagonal ascent, and their propeller propulsion can be entirely electric. — New Atlas, 27 Apr. 2026

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

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

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lighter-than-air

• concessionaire
• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare

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