Glider
ˈɡlaɪdər
Definitions
2 meaningsAn aircraft without an engine, designed to fly by gliding.
ˈɡlaɪdər
An aircraft designed to fly without an engine, relying on rising air currents or gravity.
The glider gracefully navigated the thermals.
💡 Simply: Imagine a plane that doesn't have an engine! It floats in the air using air currents, kind of like a kite. That's a glider!
👶 For kids: A glider is like a plane but it doesn't have a motor. It flies in the sky by sliding on the air.
More Examples
Learning to fly a glider can be a challenging but rewarding experience.
They towed the glider to altitude before releasing it to begin its flight.
How It's Used
"The glider soared gracefully through the sky."
"He took up the sport of glider flying at the local airfield."
A piece of furniture, usually a chair, that rocks or glides smoothly.
ˈɡlaɪdər
A piece of furniture designed for gliding.
The glider on the porch was a comfortable place to read.
💡 Simply: It's a chair that rocks or glides back and forth very smoothly. Perfect for relaxing!
👶 For kids: A glider is a chair that moves back and forth gently, like a swing but on the ground.
More Examples
She gently rocked the baby in the glider.
The gliding motion of the chair was very soothing.
How It's Used
"She relaxed in the glider on the porch, enjoying the breeze."
"The baby's room featured a comfortable glider for rocking."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
From the verb 'glide', ultimately from Middle English 'gliden' meaning 'to slide gently'. The suffix '-er' denotes an agent or thing that performs the action.
The term 'glider' has been used since the early 20th century, coinciding with the development of unpowered aircraft.
Memory tip
Think of a graceful bird soaring without flapping its wings, then you got a glider!
Word Origin
"to slide gently"