noun
- (often initial capital letter) a large dirigible balloon consisting of a long, cylindrical, covered framework containing compartments or cells filled with gas, and of various structures for holding the engines, passengers, etc.
- any rigid airship or dirigible.
noun
- Count Fer·di·nand von [fer-di-nahnt fuh n] /ˈfɛr dɪˌnɑnt fən/, 1838–1917, German general and aeronaut: designer and manufacturer of the zeppelin.
noun
- (sometimes capital) a large cylindrical rigid airship built from 1900 to carry passengers, and used in World War I for bombing and reconnaissance
noun
- Count Ferdinand von (ˈfɛrdinant fɔn). 1838–1917, German aeronautical pioneer, who designed and manufactured airships (zeppelins)
1900, from German Zeppelin, short for Zeppelinschiff “Zeppelin ship,” after Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin (1838-1917), German general who perfected its design.