hovercraft
|hov-er-craft|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈhʌvərˌkræft/
🇬🇧
/ˈhɒvəˌkrɑːft/
air-cushion vehicle
Etymology
Etymology Information
'hovercraft' originates from the English words 'hover' and 'craft', where 'hover' meant 'to remain in one place in the air' and 'craft' referred to a 'vehicle or vessel'.
Historical Evolution
'hovercraft' was coined in the mid-20th century as a term for a new type of vehicle that could travel over various surfaces using air pressure.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a vehicle that hovers', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a vehicle that travels over land or water on a cushion of air provided by a downward blast.
The hovercraft glided smoothly over the water.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/05/27 12:02