hydroplane

[ hahy-druh-pleyn ]

/ ˈhaɪ drəˌpleɪn /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR hydroplane ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a seaplane.

an attachment to an airplane enabling it to glide on the water.

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.

a horizontal rudder for submerging or elevating a submarine.

verb (used without object), hy·dro·planed, hy·dro·plan·ing.

to skim over water in the manner of a hydroplane.

to travel in a hydroplane.

Also aquaplane. (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.

RELATED WORDS

hydrofoil, speedboat

Nearby words

Origin of hydroplane

First recorded in 1900–05; hydro-¹ + plane¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for hydroplane

His ship lifting from the ocean to sail through the air has become the hydroplane.
Essays on the Greek Romances|Elizabeth Hazelton Haight
But the hydroplane, ploughing through the cold waves, whizzed toward the yacht, as he climbed out to the small flat stern.
The Voice on the Wire|Eustace Hale Ball
By this rather clumsy name he meant a combination of the hydroplane, dirigible and aroplane.
The Boy Aviators' Flight for a Fortune|Wilbur Lawton
"A hydroplane," cried Walter, with a sigh of relief, fervently echoed by his companions.
The Boy Chums Cruising in Florida Waters|Wilmer M. Ely

A moment later "Diving stations," and to the hydroplane men, "Take her on down."
H.M.S. ----|Klaxon

British Dictionary definitions for hydroplane

hydroplane

/ (ˈhaɪdrəʊˌpleɪn) /

noun

a motorboat equipped with hydrofoils or with a shaped bottom that raises its hull out of the water at high speeds

an attachment to an aircraft to enable it to glide along the surface of water

another name (esp US) for a seaplane

a horizontal vane on the hull of a submarine for controlling its vertical motion

verb

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for hydroplane (1 of 2)

hydroplane

"motorboat that glides on the surface of water," 1895, coined by U.S. engineer Harvey D. Williams ["Sibley Journal of Engineering," Cornell University, vol. X, p.81]; from hydro- + plane (from airplane).

Word Origin and History for hydroplane (1 of 2)

hydroplane

by 1908, "to skim the surface of water by use of hydroplanes," from hydroplane (n.). Meaning "skid on a thin layer of water" (especially of automobile tires) first recorded 1962, properly aquaplane (itself from 1961 in this sense). Related: Hydroplaned; hydroplaning.