flying boat

a seaplane whose main body is a hull adapted for floating.

Compare floatplane.

Origin of flying boat

First recorded in 1900–05

Then there is the flying-boat, developed under naval auspices.

Our Navy in the War |Lawrence Perry
In an hour from the time of salving the flying-boat the "Meteor" was ready to shed her now superfluous 'midship divisions.

The Dreadnought of the Air |Percy F. Westerman
Should occasion serve the hull of the flying-boat, if repaired, would make a handy tender.

The Dreadnought of the Air |Percy F. Westerman
"Let's hope it won't be long before we do," rejoined the sub, and the three men hastened to search the hull of the flying-boat.

The Dreadnought of the Air |Percy F. Westerman

Suddenly the helmsman of the flying-boat put the vertical rudder hard over.

The Dreadnought of the Air |Percy F. Westerman

flying boat

a seaplane in which the fuselage consists of a hull that provides buoyancy in the water