1. A spot of light on a radar or sonar screen indicating the position of a detected object, such as an aircraft or a submarine. Also called pip³.

2. A high-pitched electronic sound; a bleep.

3. A transient sharp upward or downward movement, as on a graph.

4. A temporary or insignificant phenomenon, especially a brief departure from the normal: "The decline in the share of GNP going to health ... appears to be a one-time blip in the historic trend rather than the start of a new trend" (Atlantic).