Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

sailplane

American  
[seyl-pleyn] / ˈseɪlˌpleɪn /

noun

  1. a very light glider that can be lifted by an upward current of air.


verb (used without object)

sailplaned, sailplaning
  1. to soar in a sailplane.

sailplane British  
/ ˈseɪlˌpleɪn /

noun

  1. a high-performance glider

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of sailplane

First recorded in 1920–25; sail + plane 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.

See Examples For:

With instruction and training, anyone can become a licensed pilot for a sailplane, Grace said.

From Washington Times Apr. 12, 2017

Club members wanted to show me what it felt like to ride in a glider, also called a sailplane, and how it can offer a new and different perspective of the world.

From Washington Times Apr. 12, 2017

You mention that the sailplane duration record is 12 hrs.

From Time Magazine Archive

A middle-aged businessman in a stiletto-winged sailplane, or conventional glider, weaves figure eights.

From Time Magazine Archive

He turned quickly and pointed at Freddy Soligen, who, already seated in the sailplane, was watching them, his face not revealing his qualms.

From Frigid Fracas by Reynolds, Mack

Armed with this discovery, other Germans perfected soaring techniques and wing designs that have influenced sailplaning all over the world.

From Time Magazine Archive

As every student of World War II knows, sailplaning as a sport grew up in Germany.

From Time Magazine Archive

Or take gliding, which its enthusiasts prefer to call "sailplaning."

From Time Magazine Archive

In the process, they perfected soaring techniques and wing designs that have influenced sailplaning all over the world.

From Time Magazine Archive

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training