Balloon

Bal·loon

Balloon

n.
  1. A bag made of silk or other light material, and filled with hydrogen gas or heated air, so as to rise and float in the atmosphere; especially, one with a car attached for aërial navigation.
  2. A ball or globe on the top of a pillar, church, etc., as at St. Paul's, in London. (Arch.) [R.]
  3. A round vessel, usually with a short neck, to hold or receive whatever is distilled; a glass vessel of a spherical form. (Chem.)
  4. A bomb or shell. (Pyrotechnics) [Obs.]
  5. A game played with a large inflated ball. [Obs.]
  6. The outline inclosing words represented as coming from the mouth of a pictured figure. (Engraving)

Phrases & Compounds

Air balloon
a balloon for aërial navigation.
Balloon frame
a house frame constructed altogether of small timber.
Balloon net
a variety of woven lace in which the weft threads are twisted in a peculiar manner around the warp.

Balloon

v. t.
  1. To take up in, or as if in, a balloon.

Balloon

v. i.
  1. To go up or voyage in a balloon.
  2. To expand, or puff out, like a balloon.