glider

American  

[glahy-der] / ˈglaɪ dər /

noun

1. a motorless, heavier-than-air aircraft for gliding from a higher to a lower level by the action of gravity or from a lower to a higher level by the action of air currents.

2. a porch swing made of an upholstered seat suspended from a steel framework by links or springs.

3. a person or thing that glides.

4. a person who pilots a glider.

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glider British  

/ ˈɡlaɪdə /

noun

1. an aircraft capable of gliding and soaring in air currents without the use of an engine See also sailplane

2. a person or thing that glides

3. another name for flying phalanger

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Etymology

Origin of glider

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; glide, -er ¹

Example Sentences

"They're very traditional people," Flannery added, and regard the glider as so sacred that "not only won't they hunt it, they won't mention its name".

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

In Salem: In the original “Thomas Crown Affair,” a stuntman for Steve McQueen takes an acrobatic thrill ride in a glider to the film’s title track, “The Windmills of Your Mind.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

The Helix is classified as a Part 103 ultralight aircraft, the same regulatory class as a hang glider.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

In his spare time, he regularly flew glider planes, a hobby of his for 50 years.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2025

He’d park himself on our dusty front-porch steps, fold his suit jacket neatly on the glider, roll up his sleeves, and read to me from the Psalms and Deuteronomy while I shelled beans.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver