■ noun
1》 a small rubber sac which is inflated and used as a child's toy or a decoration.
2》 a large bag filled with hot air or gas to make it rise in the air, typically having a basket for passengers.
3》 a rounded outline in which the words or thoughts of characters in a comic strip or cartoon are written.
4》 a large rounded drinking glass, used especially for brandy.
5》 Scottish informal a stupid person.
■ verb
1》 swell out in a spherical shape.
↘increase rapidly.
2》 travel by hot-air ~.
3》 Brit. (with reference to a ball) lob or be lobbed high in the air.
Phrases
when the ~ goes up informal when the action or trouble starts.
Derivatives
~er noun
~ing noun
~ist noun
Origin
C16 (orig. denoting a game played with a large inflated leather ball): from Fr. ballon or Ital. ballone 'large ball'.