0 a large aircraft without wings, consisting of a large bag filled with gas that is lighter than air and driven by engines. In the past passengers were carried in a structure hanging below.
1 an aircraft without wings, consisting of a very large bag that is filled with gas and has a structure attached to the bottom in which people ride, which moves and turns under power provided by engines
Although travel in commercial airships with solid frames was stopped after the Hindenburg accident, a similar type of airship, known as a blimp, is still made and flown to this day.
Because of its large size and slow speed, the blimp can be easily seen floating above cities with its huge Goodyear sign on the side of the balloon.
In total, there are fewer than 50 blimps in the world today.
While the cigar-shaped balloon looks similar to the old solid-frame airships, the blimp’s balloon body has no frame and is kept in shape by air pressure.
If the "Zeppelin" be excepted, the blimp is the most highly-developed and scientific heavier-than-air flying machine ever devised.
In effect, the blimp is a combination of balloon and aeroplane.
In order to hold whatever position in the air may be desired, the blimp is equipped with two horizontal fins and three vertical fins.
It was believed to be an American blimp, though the darkness—it was eleven at night—prevented observers from being sure.
