scooter

¹ American  

[skoo-ter] / ˈsku tər /

noun

1. Also called kick scooter.  a child's vehicle that typically has two wheels with a low footboard between them, is steered by a handlebar, and is propelled by pushing one foot against the ground while resting the other on the footboard.

2. Also called electric scooter.  Also called e-scooter.  a similar vehicle with or without a seat, propelled by a motor powered by rechargeable batteries.

3. Also called motor scooter.  a lightweight motor vehicle similar to a motorcycle, having a saddlelike seat mounted over the engine and a footboard to rest the feet.

4. (in the U.S. and Canada) a sailboat equipped with runners for use on ice.

5. Pacific barracuda.

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verb (used without object)

1. to sail or travel in or on a scooter.

scooter ² American  

[skoo-ter] / ˈsku tər /

noun

plural

scooters,

plural

scooter

1. scoter.

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scooter British  

/ ˈskuːtə /

noun

1. a child's vehicle consisting of a low footboard on wheels, steered by handlebars. It is propelled by pushing one foot against the ground

2. See motor scooter

3. (in the US and Canada) another term for ice yacht

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Other Word Forms

• scooterist noun

Etymology

Origin of scooter

First recorded in 1800–10; scoot + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Savannah Moon, the composer’s daughter, said in a phone interview that her father was riding his Vespa scooter when he died.

From Los Angeles Times

A family home was wrecked in a "matter of moments" in a fire caused by an electric scooter.

From BBC

Last year, two girls were hospitalized after an electric scooter caught fire in a Los Angeles apartment building.

From Los Angeles Times

Many have noted the slow postpandemic recovery of motor scooter sales, a product seen as an indicator of how entry-level consumers are doing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Delivery drivers zip around on scooters wearing purple shirts and helmets.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• motorbike