What does hydroplane mean?
A hydroplane is a powerboat designed to skim across the surface of water on a planing hull, allowing it to travel much faster than a conventional displacement boat. Its forward section rises partly out of the water as speed increases, reducing drag and producing a characteristic spray and wake. The word is also used as a verb for moving in this way, as in a description of a craft hydroplaning across a lake. In older British usage, hydroplane could mean a seaplane, an aircraft designed to take off from and land on water, but that sense is largely historical. Today, the modern sense is especially associated with fast recreational boats and hydroplane racing. The term combines the Greek-based prefix hydro-, referring to water, with plane, in the sense of a flat or streamlined surface.
A motorboat or powerboat designed to skim rapidly over the surface of the water on a planing hull.
"The new hydroplane reached the opposite shore in less than two minutes."
The modern motorboat sense is especially common in North American English. In older British English, the word could also denote a seaplane.
To move at high speed on the surface of water, with the hull partly lifted above the water.
"The craft hydroplaned across the smooth water before slowing down near the harbor."
Usually used intransitively and particularly of a fast motorboat.
The standard plural of the noun.
"Several hydroplanes were launched from the riverside dock."
A word that can mean a racing boat in its common modern sense and an aircraft in older British usage.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hydroplane come from?
Hydroplane was formed in the 19th century from hydro-, meaning water, and plane, referring to a flat or level surface. Its development followed the emergence of planing boats, whose specially shaped hulls allowed them to skim over the water at speed. The word was later applied in British English to seaplanes, because of their association with travel over water.
Related word forms
How hydroplane is actually used
In contemporary American English, the word usually refers to a high-speed powerboat. In British English, it has also been used for a seaplane, especially in historical contexts; that sense is now uncommon.
Easily confused with hydroplane
A hydroplane is generally a high-speed powerboat that skims over water, whereas a seaplane is an aircraft designed to take off from and land on water.