glider
Americannoun
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a motorless, heavier-than-air aircraft for gliding from a higher to a lower level by the action of gravity or from a lower to a higher level by the action of air currents.
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a porch swing made of an upholstered seat suspended from a steel framework by links or springs.
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a person or thing that glides.
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a person who pilots a glider.
noun
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an aircraft capable of gliding and soaring in air currents without the use of an engine See also sailplane
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a person or thing that glides
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another name for flying phalanger
Etymology
Origin of glider
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at glide, -er 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In Salem: In the original “Thomas Crown Affair,” a stuntman for Steve McQueen takes an acrobatic thrill ride in a glider to the film’s title track, “The Windmills of Your Mind.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026
The Helix is classified as a Part 103 ultralight aircraft, the same regulatory class as a hang glider.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026
Saturday's events were filmed on a camera that was mounted on Mr Peng's glider and the footage has gone viral after being posted on Douyin, China's version of TikTok.
From BBC • May 29, 2025
In his spare time, he regularly flew glider planes, a hobby of his for 50 years.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2025
“This model of glider take man into sky’’ Father said.
From "Dragonwings" by Laurence Yep
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
