hydrofoil

American  

[hahy-druh-foil] / ˈhaɪ drəˌfɔɪl /

noun

1. Naval Architecture. a surface form creating a thrust against water in a direction perpendicular to the plane approximated by the surface.

2. Nautical.

   1. a winglike member having this form, designed to lift the hull of a moving vessel.

   2. a vessel equipped with hydrofoils.

---

hydrofoil British  

/ ˈhaɪdrəˌfɔɪl /

noun

1. a fast light vessel the hull of which is raised out of the water on one or more pairs of fixed vanes

2. any of these vanes

---

Etymology

Origin of hydrofoil

First recorded in 1915–20; hydro- ¹ + foil ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hydrofoil

The P-12 ferry uses a hydrofoil system to lift boats, cutting drag and reducing energy consumption by up to 80%.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 18, 2026

The company has developed a hydrofoil system that lifts boats completely out of the water, cutting drag and reducing overall energy consumption by up to 80% versus conventional ships.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 18, 2026

A Washington state transit agency is working on its own hydrofoil electric ferry design in Puget Sound.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 5, 2024

For the next six days, Candela intends to showcase its pioneering hydrofoil technology in the U.S.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 9, 2023

Inside, the hydrofoil gearings for the Pole Star sat in red dimness, clicking gears and whirring automation mechanicals for the sails and hydrofoils and parasail reels.

From "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi