ground-effect machine
nounUK /ˈɡraʊnd ɪˌfekt məˈʃiːn/
US /ˈɡraʊnd ɪˌfekt məˈʃin/
A vehicle that floats on a cushion of air just above the ground or water.
The ground-effect machine skimmed across the bay faster than a boat.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A craft that uses the ground-effect phenomenon, where air trapped between its wings and the surface creates extra lift.
The ekranoplan was a giant ground-effect machine that flew just above the waves.
3. Any machine designed to exploit the reduced drag experienced when moving very close to a surface.
Engineers tested a small ground-effect machine to study drag near the runway.
4. A type of transport that rides on a thin layer of pressurized air instead of wheels.
The ground-effect machine glided over the marsh without touching the mud.