I. bə-ˈlün noun
Etymology: French ballon large football, balloon, from Italian dialect ballone large football, augmentative of balla ball, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German balla ball — more at ball
Date: 1783
1. : a nonporous bag of light material that can be inflated especially with air or gas: as
a. : a bag that is filled with heated air or a gas lighter than air so as to rise and float in the atmosphere and that usually carries a suspended load (as a gondola with passengers)
b. : an inflatable bag (as of rubber or plastic) usually used as a toy or for decoration
2. : the outline enclosing words spoken or thought by a figure especially in a cartoon
II. adjective
Date: circa 1786
1. : relating to, resembling, or suggesting a balloon
a balloon sleeve
2. : being or having a final installment that is much larger than preceding ones in a term or installment note
III. verb
Date: 1841
intransitive verb
1. : to swell or puff out : expand
balloon ed to 200 pounds
2. : to ascend or travel in or as if in a balloon
3. : to increase rapidly
balloon ing prices
transitive verb
: inflate , increase