aquaplane

/ˈækwəˌpleɪn/

Other forms: aquaplaning; aquaplaned

An aquaplane is a board on which a rider stands and skims over the surface of the water when pulled by a speedboat. The difference between an aquaplane and water skis is similar to the difference between a snowboard and snow skis.

The word aquaplane can be used as a noun — the board itself — or a verb. You might aquaplane for fun during your vacation on a lake. As a verb, the word also has a different meaning, describing what happens when a car's tires skim on the surface of water on a wet road. That's dangerous, as the tires aren't in contact with the road, and the car might slide uncontrollably. In this sense, the word has the same meaning as the verb hydroplane.

Definitions of aquaplane

1. verb

   rise up onto a thin film of water between the tires and road so that there is no more contact with the road
   “the car aquaplaned”

   type of:

   plane, skim

   travel on the surface of water
2. noun

   a board that is pulled by a speedboat as a person stands on it and skims over the top of the water
   type of:

   board

   a flat piece of material designed for a special purpose
3. verb

   ride on the surface of water on a board pulled by a speedboat
   type of:

   plane, skim

   travel on the surface of water