biplane

American  

[bahy-pleyn] / ˈbaɪˌpleɪn /

noun

1. an airplane with two sets of wings, one above and usually slightly forward of the other.

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biplane British  

/ ˈbaɪˌpleɪn /

noun

1. a type of aeroplane having two sets of wings, one above the other Compare monoplane

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Etymology

Origin of biplane

First recorded in 1870–75; bi- ¹ + (air)plane

Compare meaning

How does biplane compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• monoplane vs. biplane

Example Sentences

The practice lasted until 1932, when a 22-year-old student aviator spotted a drifting cat-shaped balloon and tried to capture it with her biplane.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

As they played, a biplane flew over the Pyramid Stage and drew a smiley face and a love heart in the sky.

From BBC • Jun. 29, 2025

That's how they had her hover at that one point for one of the opening shots when she's hovering and then it turns into the biplane.

From Salon • Feb. 19, 2024

The FAA identified the model of the plane as a Steen Skybolt, a home-built biplane used primarily for aerobatics.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2023

They pose in the cockpit of a biplane, on a motorcycle, and on a lawn beside the “Keep Off the Grass” sign.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston