# Zeppelin

/ˈzɛpɪɫɪn/ (US) · /zˈɛpɪlˌɪn/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/zeppelin
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a large, long aircraft that stays in the air using gas and has a hard metal frame inside. It looks like a giant cigar and was popular for travel a long time ago.

For teachers: a large, rigid airship consisting of a fabric-covered framework containing individual gas cells. Named after Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, it is distinguished from non-rigid blimps by its internal structural skeleton.

## Examples

- The zeppelin floated slowly across the cloudy sky.
- During the early twentieth century, the zeppelin was considered the future of luxury long-distance air travel.
- The era of the commercial zeppelin effectively ended following high-profile accidents and the rapid advancement of fixed-wing aircraft technology which proved more efficient for global transport.

## Usage notes

- Often used as a proper noun (Zeppelin) when referring specifically to the German manufacturing company or its specific models.

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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.