a device consisting of a flat or curved piece (as a metal plate) so that its surface reacts to the water it is passing through; "the fins of a fish act as hydrofoils"
hydrofoil
How to use hydrofoil in a sentence. Example sentences and definitions for hydrofoil.
Editorial note
I've rode a hydrofoil on an air chair, and on a tow surf board.
Quick take
a device consisting of a flat or curved piece (as a metal plate) so that its surface reacts to the water it is passing through; "the fins of a fish act as hydrofoils"
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of hydrofoil gathered in one view.
a speedboat that is equipped with winglike structures that lift it so that it skims the water at high speeds; "the museum houses a replica of the jet hydroplane that broke the record"
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for hydrofoil.
noun
a device consisting of a flat or curved piece (as a metal plate) so that its surface reacts to the water it is passing through; "the fins of a fish act as hydrofoils"
See also: foil
noun
a speedboat that is equipped with winglike structures that lift it so that it skims the water at high speeds; "the museum houses a replica of the jet hydroplane that broke the record"
See also: hydroplane
Example sentences
I've rode a hydrofoil on an air chair, and on a tow surf board.
Maybe the hydrofoil drag is comparable to the drag of the planing board.
I can only imagine what it's like on a hydrofoil sailboat.
At one time there was a suggestion for Google to run a hovercraft or hydrofoil type ferry from the GooglePlex to San Francisco.
This could provide a hydrofoil like lifting effect, but the design of those supports wouldn't make a terribly efficient foil.
For instance the ~200km Busan-Fukuoka ferry connection is about 2-3 hours with a hydrofoil.
Back in the early 1970s the Canadian navy tested a small hydrofoil ship for antisubmarine work and coastal patrol.
If you're talking about hydrofoils in general, they're commercial technology - I rode a hydrofoil ferry last month.
Maybe I am missing something obvious, but aren't logs and containers floating a foot below the surface also fatal for non-hydrofoil vessels?
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use hydrofoil in a sentence?
I've rode a hydrofoil on an air chair, and on a tow surf board.
What does hydrofoil mean?
a device consisting of a flat or curved piece (as a metal plate) so that its surface reacts to the water it is passing through; "the fins of a fish act as hydrofoils"
What part of speech is hydrofoil?
hydrofoil is commonly used as noun.