An airship is best defined as which of the following?

An airship is best defined as an engine-driven lighter-than-air aircraft that can be steered. This definition captures the essential characteristics of an airship. Unlike heavier-than-air aircraft, such as airplanes, airships utilize lighter-than-air gases (like helium or hot air) to achieve buoyancy, allowing them to float and navigate through the air.

The inclusion of "engine-driven" indicates that airships have the ability to propel themselves forward using engines, which distinguishes them from other types of lighter-than-air craft that may not be power-driven. Furthermore, the ability to be steered is a critical feature, as it denotes that airships can be controlled in various directions, differentiating them from free-flying balloons that are at the mercy of the wind.

Contextually, heavier-than-air aircraft involve designs that rely on lift generated by wings, which doesn’t apply to airships. Fixed-wing aircraft also utilize wings for lift and are not identified as lighter-than-air. Glider aircraft are primarily unpowered and depend on rising air currents for flight, making them distinct from an engine-driven airship. Thus, the chosen definition encompasses the unique operational and structural aspects that define an airship.