hydroplane

1 of 2

noun

hy·​dro·​plane ˈhī-drə-ˌplān 

1

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

2

: seaplane

hydroplane

2 of 2

verb

hydroplaned; hydroplaning; hydroplanes

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

Examples of hydroplane in a Sentence

Verb

The car started hydroplaning and skidded off the road.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Rain may cause tires to hydroplane at certain speeds, which means the vehicle is literally driving on water. —Mark Debruyckere, The Arizona Republic, 6 June 2024

Advertisement While being inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame last month, Johnson was offered a chance to drive Muncey’s famed Atlas Van Lines unlimited hydroplane by the National Unlimited Hydroplane and Racing Boat Hall of Fame and the Muncey family. —Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2024

Verb

There are only so many artists splashing through that many lanes lately without hydroplaning. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2024

Rainwater often pools on the outer edges of roads, which can create hazardous driving conditions, including hydroplaning. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 8 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1962, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hydroplane

noun

hy·​dro·​plane

ˈhī-drə-ˌplān

1

: a speedboat whose hull is completely or partly out of the water as it skims the water

2

: seaplane