# airbag

/ˈɛɹˌbæɡ/ (US) · /ˈeəbæɡ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/airbag
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a bag that fills with air to protect you if you crash. It is usually in a car and opens very quickly when a seatbelt is pulled.

For teachers: a bag of flexible fabric that inflates rapidly with gas to protect a vehicle occupant from injury during a collision. Typically deployed by a sensor that detects a sudden deceleration.

## Examples

- The car's airbag saved the driver's life.
- Modern vehicles are equipped with multiple airbags to provide protection for both the front and side seats.
- While seatbelts provide the primary restraint, airbags serve as a secondary safety measure by reducing the force of impact against the vehicle's interior surfaces.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.