noun

1. an airtight bag that rises and floats above the earth when filled with hot air or a gas lighter than air, such as hydrogen or helium
2. a bag of this sort with an attached car or gondola for carrying passengers or instruments
3. a small rubber bag inflated for use chiefly as a toy or decoration
4. the outline enclosing the words or thoughts of a character in a cartoon, as in comic strips
5. 1. an installment loan, mortgage loan, etc. allowing small, regular payments during the term of the loan, but having a large, final payment
   2. the final payment

Etymology: Fr ballon, altered (after balle) < It pallone, large ball < palla, ball < Langobardic *palla (OHG balla), ball

transitive verb

intransitive verb

1. to ride in a balloon
2. to swell; expand
3. to fall due as a balloon payment

adjective

1. of or having to do with a balloon or balloons
2. like a balloon; round and soft, inflatable, etc.