hydroplane

American  

[hahy-druh-pleyn] / ˈhaɪ drəˌpleɪn /

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.

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verb (used without object)

hydroplaned, hydroplaning

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 British  

/ 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. another name (esp US) for a seaplane

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

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verb

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

Etymology

Origin of hydroplane

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

Explanation

A hydroplane is an aircraft that's designed to land on water, or a boat that skims lightly across the water's surface. When you hydroplane, it's more likely to be in a car that's slipping on a wet road. The noun hydroplane always refers to a vehicle, either a speedboat that seems to hover over the surface of water as it travels, or a plane that can take off and land on an ocean or lake. Used as a verb, hydroplane describes what these vehicles do — or what a fast-moving car does on a very wet surface, losing traction as it begins to float and slide. The prefix hydro- means "water" in Greek.

Example Sentences

When Villwock, 70, drives the boat, he will become the oldest driver in unlimited hydroplane history.

From Seattle Times • May 29, 2024

The hydroplane was lifted from the lake in 2001 and restored by Tyneside engineer Bill Smith.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2024

Mr Smith eventually walked away and handed the hydroplane to the Ruskin Museum.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2024

It’s been a long time since the Miss Madison unlimited hydroplane racing team had a season like this.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 6, 2023

We ascend the red-carpeted stairs, passing silver sailing trophies and the oil portrait of the hydroplane racer Gar Wood.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides