seaplane

noun

sea·​plane ˈsē-ˌplān How to pronounce seaplane (audio)
Synonyms of seaplanenext
: an airplane designed to take off from and land on the water

Examples of seaplane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 2010, a seaplane carrying Ted Stevens, likely the most powerful politician ever to come out of Alaska, crashed en route to a salmon lodge near Bristol Bay. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026 The neighborhood/area The Raa Atoll, where Joali is located, is under an hour by seaplane from the capital, Malé. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026 But we’re soon immersed in a tale about the pair crossing 50 miles of Alaskan wilderness after their small seaplane goes down. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 28 Sep. 2026 In Sydney, the city and its harbor unfold from above during a private seaplane flight. — Guy Bigiaoui, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for seaplane

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of seaplane was in 1913

Rhymes for seaplane

See All Rhymes for seaplane

Browse Nearby Words

sea plain
seaplane
sea plantain
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Cite this Entry

“Seaplane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seaplane. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

seaplane

noun
sea·​plane ˈsē-ˌplān How to pronounce seaplane (audio)
: an airplane designed to take off from and land on the water

More from Merriam-Webster on seaplane

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for seaplane

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about seaplane

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