limbo

1 of 2

noun (1)

lim·​bo ˈlim-(ˌ)bō How to pronounce limbo (audio)
plural limbos
1
often capitalized : an abode of souls that are according to Roman Catholic theology barred from heaven because of not having received Christian baptism
2
a
: a place or state of restraint or confinement
trapping travelers in an airless limboSam Boal
b
: a place or state of neglect or oblivion
proposals kept in limbo
c
: an intermediate or transitional place or state
the adolescent occupies a special human limboNew Republic
d
: a state of uncertainty
The graduate was in limbo for a while, trying to decide what to do next.

limbo

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural limbos
: a dance or contest that involves bending over backwards and passing under a horizontal pole lowered slightly for each successive pass

Examples of limbo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
In between the town hall and the announcement of layoffs last week, Vice employees had simply been waiting in limbo to hear their fate. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 29 Feb. 2024 Antony, whose tenure at Manchester United has been marked by inconsistency and unmet expectations, is one of those players that finds himself in a sense of limbo. Liam Canning, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 The ruling is narrow in scope but broad in possible implications, leaving doctors, patients, and potential patients in terrifying limbo. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 23 Feb. 2024 Complicating matters is the Nationals’ ownership situation, which fell into limbo in April 2022 when the Lerner family hired an investment bank to explore a potential sale. Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 8 Feb. 2024 That spared them the uncertainty of labor market limbo but often locked them into jobs that were not needed in the post-pandemic world. David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 28 Jan. 2024 How the Alabama Supreme Court’s Decision Can Impact Fertility Patients With at least three of the seven fertility clinics in the state of Alabama now pausing IVF cycles, patients have been left in a troubling limbo. Maressa Brown, Parents, 26 Feb. 2024 The #2 seeds, who remain out of contract (and in playing limbo) even at this deep February 2024 date, win their 6th pro doubles title together. Todd Boss, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Behind it, Spanish lime and gumbo limbo trees shade a cookhouse in the garden, a tranquil spot just steps from Duval, which was teeming with passengers from the giant Carnival Glory cruise ship. Elaine Glusac, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, ablative of limbus limbo, from Latin, border

Noun (2)

English of Trinidad & Barbados; akin to Jamaican English limba to bend, from English limber entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of limbo was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near limbo

Cite this Entry

“Limbo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/limbo. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

limbo

1 of 2 noun
lim·​bo ˈlim-bō How to pronounce limbo (audio)
plural limbos
1
often capitalized : a place for souls (as of unbaptized infants) believed to be barred from heaven through no fault of their own
2
a
: a place or state of being held or forgotten
b
: a middle place or state

limbo

2 of 2 noun
: a dance or contest that involves bending backward and passing under a horizontal pole
Etymology

Noun

Middle English limbo "a place for souls," derived from Latin limbus (same meaning), from earlier limbus "border"

Noun

from the English of Trinidad and Barbados limbo "a dance that involves bending backwards under a pole," related to Jamaican English limba "to bend," from English limber "flexible"

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