'aerostat' originates from French, specifically the word 'aérostat', where 'aéro-' meant 'air' and '-stat' meant 'standing'.

'aérostat' transformed into the English word 'aerostat' and has been used in this form since the late 18th century.

Initially, it meant 'a device that remains stationary in the air', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.