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
Noun
Efforts to remedy this legal limbo ignite fierce pushback, including claims of discrimination against White people. Emma Kumer, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 Other items that have ended up in bureaucratic limbo include dates, sleeping bags, medicines to treat cancer, water purification tablets and maternity kits. Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 The decision has left patients and providers in legal limbo, while sparking concerns that other states could impose similar standards. Riley Griffin, arkansasonline.com, 26 Feb. 2024 The ruling and its aftermath left thousands of people who are currently undergoing IVF treatment in a devastating limbo, adding even more stress, panic, and heartbreak to what is already a grueling endeavor. As Told To Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 24 Feb. 2024 Caged limbo Will Cambodian NHPs ever return to America? Erika Fry, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2024 Absent new laws, many of the hundreds of thousands of people paroled into the U.S. during Mr. Biden's presidency could find themselves in legal limbo, living in the U.S. illegally or facing deportation under an administration with different views. Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2024 In between the town hall and the announcement of layoffs last week, Vice employees had simply been waiting in limbo to hear their fate. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 29 Feb. 2024 Antony, whose tenure at Manchester United has been marked by inconsistency and unmet expectations, is one of those players that finds himself in a sense of limbo. Liam Canning, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'limbo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near limbo

Cite this Entry

“Limbo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/limbo. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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"

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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