flying wing

noun

, Aeronautics.

1. an airplane whose wings form almost all the airframe, with the fuselage almost or entirely within the wing structure.

flying wing

noun

1. an aircraft consisting mainly of one large wing and no fuselage or tailplane
2. (in Canadian football) the twelfth player, who has a variable position behind the scrimmage line

Word History and Origins

Origin of flying wing¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

The Air Force is planning to build 100 of the warplanes, which have a flying wing shape much like their predecessor the B-2 Spirit but will incorporate advanced materials, propulsion and stealth technology to make them more survivable in a future conflict.

From Seattle Times

And there, Galya said, “I looked behind and saw that all were flying wing tip to wing tip. So Klava said: ‘Just you look at them; they’re flying like in an air show.

From Literature

Nottingham began his approach, with Alvarez flying wing just seventy feet back.

From Literature

Gesner was also related to John K. Northrop, inventor of the flying wing airplane and founder of the Northrop corporation.

From Los Angeles Times

In the Hollywood Hills, a scenic stunner known as the Flying Wing built by famed architect Harry Gesner just hit the market for $8 million.

From Los Angeles Times