sailplane

[ seyl-pleyn ]
/ ˈseɪlˌpleɪn /

noun

a very light glider that can be lifted by an upward current of air.

verb (used without object), sail·planed, sail·plan·ing.

to soar in a sailplane.

Origin of sailplane

First recorded in 1920–25; sail + plane1

OTHER WORDS FROM sailplane

sail·plan·er, noun

Words nearby sailplane

sailor hat, sailor suit, sailor's breastplate, sailor's-choice, sailoring, sailplane, sailyard, saimaa, sain, sainfoin, sainsbury

Example sentences from the Web for sailplane

  • Freddy laughed, even as he looked apprehensively over the sailplane's side.

    Frigid Fracas |Dallas McCord Reynolds

  • I'll be in the back seat of your sailplane with a portable camera.

    Frigid Fracas |Dallas McCord Reynolds

  • The Hungarian approached and looked at the sailplane in interest.

    Mercenary |Dallas McCord Reynolds

British Dictionary definitions for sailplane

sailplane
/ (ˈseɪlˌpleɪn) /

noun

a high-performance glider