SINCE 1828

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1

hydroplane

noun hy·dro·plane \ ˈhī-drə-ˌplān \

Updated on: 2 Mar 2018

Definition of hydroplane

1 : a powerboat designed for racing that skims the surface of the water

2 : seaplane

See hydroplane defined for English-language learners

See hydroplane defined for kids

Recent Examples of hydroplane from the Web

Going at a speed of forty miles an hour, the hydroplane was heading up the bight in the direction of the sand-pit which connects North Island with Coronado.

— sandiegouniontribune.com, "Biplane flies," 27 Jan. 2018
In addition to the Unlimiteds, nine Grand Nationals will be competing on Mission Bay as well as several limited hydroplane classes.

— bill center, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Competition heats up with small field," 15 Sep. 2017
While attending a hydroplane race in 1996, two locals of Kennewick, Washington, discovered a broad-faced skull inching its way out of the bank of the Columbia River.

— adam rutherford, The Atlantic, "A New History of the First Peoples in the Americas," 3 Oct. 2017
Limited class hydroplanes and flatbottom powerboats will also race.

— bill center, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Competition heats up with small field," 15 Sep. 2017
Hydroplane racing returns to the Detroit River with a new format.

— tom lang, Detroit Free Press, "Hydrofest on the Detroit River: 5 things to watch," 24 Aug. 2017
Next came T.O.M. Sopwith, famed stunt flyer, hydroplane racer and aircraft builder—and with him the grand era of the J-boat, majestic, 130-ft.-long monsters with 165-ft.

— lily rothman, Time, "50 Years Ago This Week: The Story Behind the America's Cup," 14 Aug. 2017
If your car hydroplanes, hold the steering wheel steady and lightly apply brakes.

— gary richards, The Mercury News, "Driving in this rain? Mr. Roadshow’s 20 life-saving tips," 10 Jan. 2017
The action caused him to hydroplane and swerve to the right and left, striking guardrails on both sides of the road.

— staff report, The Aegis, "Assault, taunting in Darlington being investigated as possible hate crime," 1 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hydroplane.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of hydroplane

1904

2

hydroplane

verb

Definition of hydroplane

intransitive verb

: to skim on water; especially, of a vehicle : to skid on a wet surface (such as pavement) because a film of water on the surface causes the tires to lose contact with it

See hydroplane defined for English-language learners

Examples of hydroplane in a Sentence

The car started hydroplaning and skidded off the road.

Recent Examples of hydroplane from the Web

When driving in wet conditions, cut the risk of hydroplaning by reducing vehicle speed and making sure tires are properly inflated and have sufficient tread.

— nashelly chavez, sacbee, "Jackknifed FedEx big rig closes lanes on Highway 50 Saturday, leaves diesel spill on roadway | The Sacramento Bee," 4 Nov. 2017
This was an especial gift since the Pirelli P Zero Corsa summer tires that work so admirably in sunny Lisbon were cold, hard and hydroplaning luridly in Wales.

— dan neil, WSJ, "Why the $285,000 McLaren 720S Is the Shape of Things to Come," 13 July 2017
Schoenhals had been driving a car northbound on U.S. 69 near 363rd Street shortly before 5 a.m. when the car hydroplaned off the highway into a ditch filled with rushing water.

— ian cummings, kansascity, "Kansas man killed in flooding in Miami County," 22 Aug. 2017
Her cruiser hydroplaned, crossed the grass median and went into oncoming traffic, troopers said.

— david harris, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Weather may have played role in deputy crash, FHP says," 14 Aug. 2017
The giant hydroplanes, about 30 feet long and capable of speeds approaching 200 miles per hour, will have qualifying runs Friday with racing action on Saturday and Sunday.

— seattle times staff, The Seattle Times, "Seattle Reign’s Megan Rapinoe wins NWSL player of the week," 25 July 2017
The video shows the boy hydroplaning out of the slide near the bottom, where the arch of his back slides along the rim of the water slide for a number of feet before the boy is launched onto the concrete below.

— matthias gafni, The Mercury News, "Video: Child thrown from The Wave water park slide in Dublin on opening day," 27 May 2017
Flooding caused two vehicles to hydroplane off the roadway before authorities closed Gopher Canyon Road near Vista early Wednesday.

— pauline repard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Flooding closes Gopher Canyon Road near Vista," 3 May 2017
In that one, too, a car hydroplaned out of control across lanes, 10News reported.

— Orange County Register, "Friday’s storm left Southern California with deaths, damage," 18 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hydroplane.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of hydroplane

1962

HYDROPLANE Defined for English Language Learners

hydroplane

noun

Definition of hydroplane for English Language Learners

: a boat that is designed to move over the surface of water at very high speeds

hydroplane

verb

Definition of hydroplane for English Language Learners

of a vehicle : to slide on a wet road because a thin layer of water on the road causes the tires to lose contact with it

HYDROPLANE Defined for Kids

hydroplane

noun hy·dro·plane \ ˈhī-drə-ˌplān \

Definition of hydroplane for Students

: a speedboat whose hull is completely or partly raised as it glides over water

Learn More about hydroplane

See words that rhyme with hydroplane Spanish Central: Translation of hydroplane Nglish: Translation of hydroplane for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hydroplane

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WORD OF THE DAY

traduce

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to lower or disgrace the reputation of

BROWSE DICTIONARY

hydrophyte

hydrophyton

hydroplane

hydroplanula

hydropneumatic

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Examples: hydroplane in a Sentence