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

Dolan’s presence on the zeppelin had been kept a secret from his wife and mother to preserve the surprise. —Paul Eisenberg, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026

Rigid airships, such as zeppelins, consist of a light framework of aluminum-alloy girders that is covered with fabric. —Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 May 2026

Aren’t airplanes, helicopters, gliders, blimps, zeppelins, and rockets already doing a great job of moving people through the atmosphere? —New Atlas, 27 Apr. 2026

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

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