Definition

Noun: A safety device in a motor vehicle, typically stored in the steering wheel, dashboard, or doors, that inflates rapidly with gas upon a significant impact to cushion and restrain the driver or passengers, preventing them from being thrown forward and reducing injury.

Usage

The term "air bag" refers specifically to the inflatable restraint system itself. It is a countable noun. - Modern cars are equipped with multiple air bags. - The deployment of the air bag saved her life in the crash. - He checked if the used car had functional front air bags.

Examples

• The driver's air bag deployed during the collision.
• New regulations require passenger air bags in all vehicles.
• It is dangerous to place a rear-facing child seat in front of an active air bag.

Advanced Usage

• Side-impact air bag / curtain air bag: Specialized air bags that inflate from the door or roof to protect occupants in a side collision.
  • The vehicle's side-impact air bags provided crucial protection during the T-bone accident.
• Air bag control module / sensor: The electronic system that detects a crash and triggers inflation.
  • After the accident, the mechanics examined the air bag sensor for faults.

Variants and Related Words

• Airbag (noun): A common alternative spelling, often written as one word.
  • The term "airbag" is frequently used in technical manuals.
• Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) (noun phrase): The formal technical term for an air bag system, indicating it supplements the primary restraint, the seat belt.
  • The SRS warning light on the dashboard indicates a potential problem with the air bag system.

Synonyms

• Inflatable restraint (noun phrase): A more technical synonym.
• Cushion (noun, in this specific context): Can be used descriptively for its function.
  • The device acts as a protective cushion upon impact.

Related Phrases

• Air bag deployment (noun phrase): The event of the air bag inflating.
  • The force of the air bag deployment can cause minor abrasions.
• Disable the air bag (verb phrase): To deactivate the air bag system, sometimes necessary when installing certain child seats.
  • You must consult the manual to learn how to properly disable the passenger air bag.

Noun

1. a safety restraint in an automobile; the bag inflates on collision and prevents the driver or passenger from being thrown forward