airbag

noun

air·​bag ˈer-ˌbag How to pronounce airbag (audio)
variants or air bag
: a bag that is inflated with air typically for use as a cushion or safety device
especially : such a bag installed in an automobile as a safety device designed to inflate automatically in case of collision

Examples of airbag in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Of these, about 1 million vehicles were recalled in December because of a defective airbag sensor, which could prevent the airbag from deploying in a crash. Ty Roush, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Did the airbags fire correctly and prevent a dummy from hitting a hard object in the vehicle? Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 27 Feb. 2024 The motor vehicle company is urging its drivers to stop driving the cars immediately and get their Takata airbags repaired, according to press release by the company. USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 The Willow River, Minnesota, man survived the recent accident near Yellowstone National Park after pulling a cord on his backpack to trigger an inflatable airbag specially designed for avalanches. Matthew Brown, Fortune, 3 Feb. 2024 The addition of seat belts, multiple airbags, rearview cameras and blind spot sensors worked to drive down deaths due to car crashes. Devika Rao, theweek, 30 Jan. 2024 According to the voluntary recall, the vehicles should not be driven until their faulty airbags have been repaired or replaced. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2024 Key Background Toyota recalls potentially affected 4.2 million vehicles last year, according to NHTSA data, with much of the figure coming from a one million-vehicle recall in late December that sought to address an electrical issue that could prevent airbags from working. Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 The passenger airbag in some new Hondas and Acuras is very advanced and designed to prevent brain injuries. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 6 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'airbag.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of airbag was in 1782

Dictionary Entries Near airbag

Cite this Entry

“Airbag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airbag. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

air bag

noun
: an automobile safety device consisting of a bag designed to inflate automatically especially in front of a rider in case of a collision
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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