What does airbag mean?
An airbag is a passive safety device installed in automobiles and other vehicles, designed to inflate almost instantaneously during a collision so as to cushion occupants and reduce the risk of serious injury. Typically housed in the steering wheel, dashboard, doors, or roof lining, airbags are triggered by sensors that detect sudden deceleration, deploying within milliseconds of impact. The word combines 'air', referring to the gas that fills the device, with 'bag', describing its flexible container form. Airbags are discussed frequently in contexts ranging from automotive journalism and insurance claims to road-safety campaigns and vehicle reviews, where terms such as driver's airbag, side-impact airbag, and curtain airbag are common. The word carries no strong connotation beyond its association with vehicle safety, though its deployment is often mentioned in accounts of accidents. As automotive safety technology has become universal, airbag has become a familiar household term across English-speaking regions.
nounA safety device in a vehicle consisting of a bag that inflates rapidly on impact to cushion occupants from striking the interior of the car.
- A safety device in a motor vehicle that inflates rapidly during a collision to protect an occupant from impact.
"The airbag deployed instantly when the car collided with the barrier, sparing the driver serious injury."
"Both front airbags deployed when the sedan was rear-ended at the intersection."
"Modern cars often include curtain airbags that protect passengers' heads in a side collision."
Standard plural; used when referring to multiple units or vehicles equipped with several.
"The vehicle comes equipped with six airbags as standard."
The first patent for an airbag-like device was filed in the 1950s, but it took decades of engineering — and tragic failures — before airbags became standard life-saving equipment.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of airbag
The word airbag is a twentieth-century compound formed from the native English words 'air' (from Old French 'air', ultimately from Latin 'aer', borrowed from Greek) and 'bag' (from Old Norse 'baggi'). It emerged alongside the development of inflatable vehicle restraint systems in the mid-twentieth century, with early patents appearing in the 1950s and widespread adoption from the 1980s onward. Its components are shared with countless other English compounds such as aircraft and handbag.
How airbag is actually used
Airbag is a neutral technical term used in both everyday and formal automotive contexts. It is typically written as one word, though 'air bag' appears occasionally in older texts.
Easily confused with airbag
An airbag is a vehicle safety device that inflates on impact, while an airbed is an inflatable mattress used for sleeping.