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
Kocha Olarn, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
Now, with the CFPB and its employees in a state of limbo, the question is how far Musk and Vought can take their campaign to minimize the watchdog.
—Hugh Son,russell Leung, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2025
Activities included games such as limbo and freeze.
—Jessi Virusio, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025
The hotel houses migrants primarily from the Middle East, Asia and Africa, many of whom remain in legal limbo after being deported from the U.S. under policies prioritizing rapid removals.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for limbo
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Noun
The 48 men were arrested by Thai authorities 11 years ago after crossing the border to Thailand in an attempt to escape persecution in China and had been kept in detention and legal limbo ever since.
—Kocha Olarn, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
Now, with the CFPB and its employees in a state of limbo, the question is how far Musk and Vought can take their campaign to minimize the watchdog.
—Hugh Son,russell Leung, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2025
Activities included games such as limbo and freeze.
—Jessi Virusio, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025
The hotel houses migrants primarily from the Middle East, Asia and Africa, many of whom remain in legal limbo after being deported from the U.S. under policies prioritizing rapid removals.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 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 2 Mar. 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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