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
Joel Rose, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
Consequently, many applicants face extended waits for permanent residency, leaving some in legal limbo and at risk of deportation.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
The Trump Administration’s efforts to withhold federal funding have since been put in limbo after two federal judges blocked the freeze.
—Liz Elting, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
The planned Street Fighter movie is sliding into limbo, while Phoebe Dynevor‘s shark thriller is set to make a splash a bit later than planned.
—Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for limbo
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Noun
Tim Evans/for NPR Ukrainians in U.S. 'cannot live a full life'
Some Ukrainians are already in a limbo.
—Joel Rose, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
Consequently, many applicants face extended waits for permanent residency, leaving some in legal limbo and at risk of deportation.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
The Trump Administration’s efforts to withhold federal funding have since been put in limbo after two federal judges blocked the freeze.
—Liz Elting, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
The planned Street Fighter movie is sliding into limbo, while Phoebe Dynevor‘s shark thriller is set to make a splash a bit later than planned.
—Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for limbo
Cite this Entry
“Limbo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/limbo. Accessed 16 Apr. 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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