limbo

1 of 2

noun (1)

lim·​bo ˈlim-(ˌ)bō How to pronounce limbo (audio)
plural limbos
1
often capitalized : an abode of souls that are according to Roman Catholic theology barred from heaven because of not having received Christian baptism
2
a
: a place or state of restraint or confinement
trapping travelers in an airless limboSam Boal
b
: a place or state of neglect or oblivion
proposals kept in limbo
c
: an intermediate or transitional place or state
the adolescent occupies a special human limboNew Republic
d
: a state of uncertainty
The graduate was in limbo for a while, trying to decide what to do next.

limbo

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural limbos
: a dance or contest that involves bending over backwards and passing under a horizontal pole lowered slightly for each successive pass

Examples of limbo 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.
Noun
The 48–49 vote left the measure in legislative limbo, blocking further consideration despite broad agreement on the need for stablecoin oversight. Tonya M. Evans, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025 Since then, staffers have been stuck in a form of bureaucratic limbo as their case winds through the legal system. Jade Walker, CNN Money, 9 May 2025 Students were thrown into legal limbo with no notice, as their records in a system known as SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) were erased. Nik Popli, Time, 25 Apr. 2025 Some of the Forest Service staff who were fired or put in limbo by the Trump administration are those who do research or collect and communicate critical data about forests and fire risk. Laura Dee, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for limbo

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, ablative of limbus limbo, from Latin, border

Noun (2)

English of Trinidad & Barbados; akin to Jamaican English limba to bend, from English limber entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of limbo was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Limbo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/limbo. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

limbo

1 of 2 noun
lim·​bo ˈlim-bō How to pronounce limbo (audio)
plural limbos
1
often capitalized : a place for souls (as of unbaptized infants) believed to be barred from heaven through no fault of their own
2
a
: a place or state of being held or forgotten
b
: a middle place or state

limbo

2 of 2 noun
: a dance or contest that involves bending backward and passing under a horizontal pole
Etymology

Noun

Middle English limbo "a place for souls," derived from Latin limbus (same meaning), from earlier limbus "border"

Noun

from the English of Trinidad and Barbados limbo "a dance that involves bending backwards under a pole," related to Jamaican English limba "to bend," from English limber "flexible"

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