Bal‐loon″ (�), n. [F. ballon, aug. of balle ball: cf. It. ballone. See 1st Ball, n., and cf. Pallone.] 1. A bag made of silk or other light material, and filled with hydrogen gas or heated air, so as to rise and float in the atmosphere; especially, one with a car attached for aërial navigation.
2. (Arch.) A ball or globe on the top of a pillar, church, etc., as at St. Paul's, in London.
3. (Chem.) A round vessel, usually with a short neck, to hold or receive whatever is distilled; a glass vessel of a spherical form.
4. (Pyrotechnics) A bomb or shell.
5. A game played with a large inflated ball.
6. (Engraving) The outline inclosing words represented as coming from the mouth of a pictured figure.
Air balloon, a balloon for aërial navigation. — Balloon frame(Carp.), a house frame constructed altogether of small timber. — Balloon net, a variety of woven lace in which the weft threads are twisted in a peculiar manner around the warp.