lim·bo
ˈlim-(ˌ)bō 
plural limbos
1
often capitalized
: an abode of souls that are according to Roman Catholic theology barred from heaven because of not having received Christian baptism
2
a
: a place or state of restraint or confinement
trapping travelers in an airless limbo—
Sam Boal
Sam Boal
b
: a place or state of neglect or oblivion
proposals kept in limbo
c
: an intermediate or transitional place or state
the adolescent occupies a special human limbo—New Republic
New Republic
d
: a state of uncertainty
The graduate was in limbo for a while, trying to decide what to do next.
plural limbos
: a dance or contest that involves bending over backwards and passing under a horizontal pole lowered slightly for each successive pass
Examples of limbo in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jeff Marks, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2025
Vladeck did warn that while this case is being worked out in the courts, millions of people will be at risk due to the limbo by the uncertainty left by the order.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2025
All of this leaves assistance in a limbo until Trump and Newsom find a way to cooperate.
—Douglas Schoen, Orange County Register, 24 Jan. 2025
TikTok's seemingly nonstop legal limbo has sown widespread confusion among users over when and if the app will indeed stop working one day.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for limbo 
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Noun
The analysts said spin limbo is ending and electronics has momentum through the spin.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2025
Vladeck did warn that while this case is being worked out in the courts, millions of people will be at risk due to the limbo by the uncertainty left by the order.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2025
All of this leaves assistance in a limbo until Trump and Newsom find a way to cooperate.
—Douglas Schoen, Orange County Register, 24 Jan. 2025
TikTok's seemingly nonstop legal limbo has sown widespread confusion among users over when and if the app will indeed stop working one day.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for limbo
Dictionary Entries Near limbo
Cite this Entry
“Limbo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/limbo. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
limbo
1 of 2 noun
lim·bo
ˈlim-bō
plural limbos
1
often capitalized
: a place for souls (as of unbaptized infants) believed to be barred from heaven through no fault of their own
2
a
: a place or state of being held or forgotten
b
: a middle place or state
limbo
2 of 2 noun
: a dance or contest that involves bending backward and passing under a horizontal pole
Etymology
Noun
Middle English limbo "a place for souls," derived from Latin limbus (same meaning), from earlier limbus "border"
Noun
from the English of Trinidad and Barbados limbo "a dance that involves bending backwards under a pole," related to Jamaican English limba "to bend," from English limber "flexible"
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