TERMIUM Plus®
From: Translation Bureau
On social media
Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.
HELP BALLOON [2 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2013-01-25
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Computer Graphics
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- tooltip
1, record 1, English, tooltip
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
- balloon help 2, record 1, English, balloon%20help
correct
- help balloon 3, record 1, English, help%20balloon
correct
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A small pop-up window that provides a brief note or label pertaining to the item or control being pointed to. 4, record 1, English, - tooltip
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Infographie
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- infobulle
1, record 1, French, infobulle
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
- bulle d'aide 2, record 1, French, bulle%20d%27aide
correct, feminine noun
- info-bulle 3, record 1, French, info%2Dbulle
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
[Petite fenêtre contextuelle dans laquelle s'affiche de l'information] lorsque le curseur de la souris passe au-dessus d'un objet graphique (tel un bouton, un hyperlien...). 4, record 1, French, - infobulle
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record 2 - internal organization data 2005-10-25
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Weather Stations and Meteorological Instruments and Equipment
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- pilot balloon
1, record 2, English, pilot%20balloon
correct, standardized
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
- pibal 2, record 2, English, pibal
correct
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Free balloon whose path while moving upwards is visually observed in order to measure upper winds. 3, record 2, English, - pilot%20balloon
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
One expedient method for determining the winds aloft entails the launching and tracking of a pilot balloon, also known as a pibal. The name for these balloons that do not carry instruments apparently came from their use during the 19th century when they were launched prior to manned balloon ascents to help guide or "pilot" the manned balloons. The brightly colored helium filled balloon rises at a known ascent rate. However, the balloon is carried horizontally with the wind. Since the assumption is made that the balloon serves as a tracer of the wind, the horizontal motion of the balloon over measured time intervals can be used to determine the wind speed. An observer visually tracks the motion of the balloon with an instrument called a theodolite and records the elevation and azimuth angles at timed intervals. The sequence of observed elevation and azimuth information are plotted on a plotting board to obtain the balloon motion. The wind speed and direction at each selected level are determined. Wind observations may be limited by low cloud ceilings that obscure the balloon. 2, record 2, English, - pilot%20balloon
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
pilot balloon: term standardized by ISO. 4, record 2, English, - pilot%20balloon
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Stations, instruments et équipements météorologiques
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- ballon-pilote
1, record 2, French, ballon%2Dpilote
correct, masculine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
- ballon pilote 2, record 2, French, ballon%20pilote
correct, masculine noun, standardized
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Ballon de petit diamètre, dont la trajectoire, observée depuis le sol à l'aide d'un théodolite ou d'un radar, indique la vitesse du vent et sa direction. 3, record 2, French, - ballon%2Dpilote
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
ballon pilote : terme normalisé par l'ISO. 4, record 2, French, - ballon%2Dpilote
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Estaciones, instrumentos y equipos meteorológicos
Record 2, Main entry term, Spanish
- globo piloto
1, record 2, Spanish, globo%20piloto
correct, masculine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 2, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Globo libre cuya trayectoria ascendente se observa visualmente para determinar los vientos en altitud. 2, record 2, Spanish, - globo%20piloto
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)
Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.
Writing tools
The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies
Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified:


