1 tailplane | Definition of tailplane

tailplane

noun
tail·​plane | \ ˈtāl-ˌplān How to pronounce tailplane (audio) \

Definition of tailplane

: the horizontal tail surfaces of an airplane including the stabilizer and the elevator

Examples of tailplane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their position not only protects them from being damaged by foreign objects flying up from unprepared runways, but also directs their exhaust over the tailplane, helping to shield them from detection by infrared surface-to-air missiles. Eric Tegler, Popular Mechanics, "Why the A-10 Warthog Is Such a Badass Plane," 19 Nov. 2016 The back wall is padded, presumably to stop any unstowed objects from crashing out of the tailplane. Sebastian Anthony, Ars Technica, "Taking a flight on the best Boeing 757," 3 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tailplane.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of tailplane

1909, in the meaning defined above

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Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with tailplane