airbag: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to technical. Common in everyday, automotive, and safety contexts.
Quick answer
What does “airbag” mean?
A safety device in a vehicle, typically in the steering wheel or dashboard, that rapidly inflates with gas during a collision to protect occupants.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A safety device in a vehicle, typically in the steering wheel or dashboard, that rapidly inflates with gas during a collision to protect occupants.
Any inflatable cushion or protective device using a similar mechanism. Can also metaphorically refer to a person or thing that provides a safety buffer or cushion against risk or failure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Spelling is consistently one word: 'airbag'.
Connotations
Identical. Associated with mandatory vehicle safety.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties due to global automotive standards and regulations.
Grammar
How to Use “airbag” in a Sentence
The NOUN deployed.The car has/had NOUN.a NOUN for the passengerequipped with NOUNVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “airbag” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The car was not airbagged as standard in those older models.
- The manufacturer will airbag all new vehicles.
American English
- This trim level doesn't come airbagged.
- They recalled the cars to have them properly airbagged.
adjective
British English
- airbag-equipped cars
- an airbag-related fault
American English
- airbag compliance
- airbag deployment data
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Metaphor for a financial buffer or safety net.
Academic
Used in engineering, design, and safety science papers.
Everyday
Common in discussions about cars, buying vehicles, or road safety.
Technical
Core term in automotive engineering, safety testing, and vehicle diagnostics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “airbag”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “airbag”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “airbag”
- Spelling as two words: 'air bag' (less common but sometimes accepted).
- Using it as a verb incorrectly: 'The car airbagged' is non-standard.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is standardly written as one word: 'airbag'.
Yes, but it is rare and technical, meaning 'to equip with an airbag' (e.g., 'The fleet was airbagged in 2020').
Yes. Common types include front (driver/passenger), side-impact, curtain (roof-mounted), and knee airbags.
Have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic immediately, as it indicates a potential fault in the safety system.
A safety device in a vehicle, typically in the steering wheel or dashboard, that rapidly inflates with gas during a collision to protect occupants.
Airbag is usually neutral to technical. common in everyday, automotive, and safety contexts. in register.
Airbag: in British English it is pronounced /ˈeəbæɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈerbæɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Metaphorical] An economic airbag.”
- “[Metaphorical] He was my professional airbag during the project crisis.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
AIR (gas) + BAG (a sack) = a bag that fills with air to save you.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A CUSHION / SAFETY IS AN INFLATABLE BARRIER.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of an airbag?