biplane: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical, Historical
Quick answer
What does “biplane” mean?
An early type of fixed-wing aircraft with two sets of wings, one above the other.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An early type of fixed-wing aircraft with two sets of wings, one above the other.
A historical or vintage aircraft configuration; by extension, can refer to anything with a double-layered structure resembling this design.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Spelling and pronunciation are standard.
Connotations
Both varieties strongly associate the word with early 20th-century aviation history and vintage air shows.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, used in specific historical, technical, or hobbyist contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “biplane” in a Sentence
[determiner] + biplane + [verb]biplane + [prepositional phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “biplane” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The biplane era ended in the 1930s.
American English
- He's a biplane enthusiast.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; only in contexts like aviation insurance, antique aircraft sales, or historical documentaries.
Academic
Used in historical, engineering, or design papers discussing early aviation technology.
Everyday
Very rare; used when discussing history, vintage air shows, or model building.
Technical
Standard term in aviation history and among aircraft enthusiasts/restorers.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “biplane”
- Misspelling as 'byplane' or 'biplain'.
- Using it to refer to any old-fashioned plane, even if it's a monoplane.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A biplane refers to the wing configuration (two wings). A bomber refers to the aircraft's function. Some early bombers were biplanes, but many were not.
Very rarely for commercial use, but they are sometimes built as replicas or for specialist purposes like aerobatics and crop-dusting, where their design offers advantages.
The direct opposite in terms of wing configuration is a monoplane, which has a single set of wings.
Advances in materials and engineering made the strong, lightweight single wing of the monoplane more efficient for speed and performance.
An early type of fixed-wing aircraft with two sets of wings, one above the other.
Biplane is usually formal, technical, historical in register.
Biplane: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbaɪ.pleɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbaɪ.pleɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'BI' (meaning two) + 'PLANE'. A plane with two sets of wings.
Conceptual Metaphor
HISTORY/PAST IS A BIANE (vs. the future/monoplane or jet).
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining structural feature of a biplane?