Definition

1. Noun:
   • Aircraft for aerial travel: A "hot-air balloon" is a type of aircraft consisting of a large bag (called an envelope) that contains heated air. Suspended beneath this bag is a basket or gondola that carries passengers and a source of heat, typically a propane burner. It flies because the heated air inside the envelope is less dense than the cooler air outside.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • We went for a ride in a hot-air balloon at dawn.
  • The colorful hot-air balloon drifted peacefully over the valley.
  • The festival featured dozens of hot-air balloons of all shapes and sizes.

Advanced Usage

• "to go up in a hot-air balloon": to take a flight in one.
  • For her birthday, she wanted to go up in a hot-air balloon.
• "hot-air balloon ride/flight": an experience or journey in a hot-air balloon.
  • They booked a hot-air balloon ride for their anniversary.

Variants and Related Words

• Balloon (n): The general term for a flexible bag filled with gas (like helium or hot air) that can rise in the air. A "hot-air balloon" is a specific type of balloon.
• Envelope (n): In ballooning, this specifically refers to the large fabric bag that holds the hot air.
• Gondola / Basket (n): The passenger compartment suspended beneath the envelope.
• Balloonist (n): A person who flies a balloon.

Synonyms

• Lighter-than-air craft: A technical term for aircraft that rely on buoyancy, which includes hot-air balloons and airships.
• Aerostat: Another technical term for a craft that remains aloft using buoyant gas.

Related Phrases

• Hot-air ballooning (n): The activity or sport of flying in a hot-air balloon.
  • He took up hot-air ballooning as a hobby.
• Hot-air balloon pilot: The person who operates and navigates the balloon.

Related Idioms

• "Full of hot air": This idiom describes a person who talks a lot but says little of value or makes false promises. It is conceptually related as it uses the same "hot air" imagery but refers to empty talk, not the aircraft.
  • Don't listen to him; he's just full of hot air.

Noun

1. balloon for travel through the air in a basket suspended below a large bag of heated air