multiplane: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Historical
Quick answer
What does “multiplane” mean?
An aircraft with two or more sets of wings arranged one above another.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An aircraft with two or more sets of wings arranged one above another.
An apparatus or device having multiple flat or planar components arranged in layers or tiers.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical and rare in both varieties. The term is technical/historical.
Connotations
Evokes early aviation pioneers like the Wright brothers; carries a nostalgic, pioneering spirit.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; encountered mainly in historical texts, aviation museums, or specialised engineering discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “multiplane” in a Sentence
[The] + multiplane + [verb e.g., flew, was designed][Adjective e.g., experimental] + multiplaneVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “multiplane” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The aviation museum restored a rare 1910 multiplane.
- His design for a multiplane was rejected by the Air Ministry.
American English
- The Wright brothers experimented with multiplane designs before the Flyer.
- The multiplane's complex rigging made it difficult to maintain.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Used in history of technology, aviation history, and aeronautical engineering papers discussing pre-WWI aircraft design.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used by aviation enthusiasts or in museum contexts.
Technical
Precise term for a class of early aircraft with multiple wing stacks. Can be used analogously in other fields (e.g., 'multiplane camera' in animation, 'multiplane clutch' in mechanics).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “multiplane”
- Confusing 'multiplane' with 'monoplane'. Spelling: 'multiplain' or 'multi-plan'. Using it to describe a modern jet, which is incorrect.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a biplane (two wings) and a triplane (three wings) are specific types of multiplanes. 'Multiplane' is the broader categorical term.
Virtually no modern commercial or military aircraft use true multiplane wings due to superior aerodynamics and structural efficiency of the monoplane. The term survives in other technical areas like 'multiplane camera' (animation) or 'multiplane friction clutch'.
The main disadvantages are increased aerodynamic drag (air resistance) due to interference between the multiple wings and a more complex, heavier structure compared to a monoplane.
Its primary and almost exclusive use is as a noun. Adjectival use (e.g., 'multiplane design') is possible but less common; 'multi-wing' is often used instead.
An aircraft with two or more sets of wings arranged one above another.
Multiplane is usually technical / historical in register.
Multiplane: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌltɪpleɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmʌltɪpleɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. Too specific and technical for idiomatic use.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MULTIplane has MULTIple wings, one piled on top of the other, like a multi-layered cake.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAYERING / STACKING (of concepts, responsibilities, or physical components).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'multiplane' most accurately used?