hydroplane

[ hahy-druh-pleyn ]

noun

1. a seaplane.
2. an attachment to an airplane enabling it to glide on the water.
3. a light, high-powered boat, especially one with hydrofoils or a stepped bottom, designed to plane along the surface of the water at very high speeds.
4. a horizontal rudder for submerging or elevating a submarine.

verb (used without object)

, hy·dro·planed, hy·dro·plan·ing.

1. to skim over water in the manner of a hydroplane.
2. to travel in a hydroplane.
3. Also (of a vehicular tire or vehicle) to ride on a film of water on a wet surface with a resulting decrease in braking and steering effectiveness.

hydroplane

/ ˈhaɪdrəʊˌpleɪn /

noun

1. a motorboat equipped with hydrofoils or with a shaped bottom that raises its hull out of the water at high speeds
2. an attachment to an aircraft to enable it to glide along the surface of water
3. See seaplane
   another name (esp US) for a seaplane
4. a horizontal vane on the hull of a submarine for controlling its vertical motion

verb

1. intr (of a boat) to rise out of the water in the manner of a hydroplane

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydroplane¹

First recorded in 1900–05; hydro- ¹ + plane ¹

Example Sentences

At ninety feet the Captain spoke again, and the hydroplane-wheels spun as her downward way was checked.

From Project Gutenberg

"E 50" came out of the affair with the loss of her port-bow hydroplane and a few dents.

From Project Gutenberg

A few hands keep watch on the hydroplane wheels, the pumps, and the motors; the rest take it easy.

From Project Gutenberg

There is a kind of machine sometimes called a hydroplane but which we are gradually getting to call a sea-plane.

From Project Gutenberg

And it really can sail in the air or on the icelike a hydroplane?

From Project Gutenberg