Illustration of hydrofoil
- hydrofoil 2
hydrofoil
noun
hy·dro·foil
ˈhī-drə-ˌfȯi(-ə)l 
1
: a body similar to an airfoil but designed for action in or on water
2
: a motorboat that has metal plates or fins attached by struts fore and aft for lifting the hull clear of the water as speed is attained
Examples of hydrofoil in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The hydrofoil tested in the study carried two rows of these coils, each powered by small electrical motors called actuators.
—
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
Once on its hydrofoil, a Candela boat can go much further on the same battery capacity as a conventional vessel without this technology.
—James Morris, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Similar structures to those uncovered in the ichthyosaur could help engineers reduce sound in their devices, building quieter propellers and hydrofoils, Lindgren tells NHM, which might help address the problem of underwater noise pollution.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025
Regent explains that the hydrofoils allow the Vicreroy to operate like a boat outside harbor areas, giving it the speed, maneuverability and choppy water stability that failed ekranoplans lacked.
—New Atlas, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hydrofoil
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
Once on its hydrofoil, a Candela boat can go much further on the same battery capacity as a conventional vessel without this technology.
—James Morris, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Similar structures to those uncovered in the ichthyosaur could help engineers reduce sound in their devices, building quieter propellers and hydrofoils, Lindgren tells NHM, which might help address the problem of underwater noise pollution.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025
Regent explains that the hydrofoils allow the Vicreroy to operate like a boat outside harbor areas, giving it the speed, maneuverability and choppy water stability that failed ekranoplans lacked.
—New Atlas, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hydrofoil
Cite this Entry
“Hydrofoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrofoil. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hydrofoil
noun
hy·dro·foil
ˈhī-drə-ˌfȯil
: a boat that has fins attached to the bottom by braces for lifting the hull clear of the water to allow faster speeds
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share