sailplane

[seyl-pleyn] /ˈseɪlˌpleɪn/
noun
1.
a very light glider that can be lifted by an upward current of air.
verb (used without object), sailplaned, sailplaning.
2.
to soar in a sailplane.
Origin
1920-25; sail + plane1
Related forms
sailplaner, noun
Examples from the web for sailplane
  • Flying close to a mountain ridge in a sailplane does not engender the same fears as walking close to the edge of that ridge.
  • He discovers how to make a sailplane which will enable him to fly.
  • But the sailplane experience was less useful than it might appear to have been.
  • Leave it to the sailplane pilots to know what to look for.
British Dictionary definitions for sailplane

sailplane

/ˈseɪlˌpleɪn/
noun
1.
a high-performance glider