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

scooters plural

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

Explanation

A scooter is a small wheeled vehicle. A child's scooter has two wheels and is powered by pushing one foot against the ground. The word scooter covers a wide variety of vehicles. There's the kick scooter that you can use for rolling down the sidewalk, and the motor scooter that's essentially a lightweight, gas-powered motorcycle. Mobility scooters are used by people who need a little extra help getting around, either in the form of a wheeled walker that can be kneeled on, or a motorized wheelchair. The word scooter was originally shorthand for motor scooter.

Example Sentences

Nancy Iskander, at the criminal trial, testified that she began to cross on inline skates with her youngest son, Zachary, next to her on his scooter.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

A blue scooter was parked on the lawn, and a neighbor said he’d seen Allen riding it around the neighborhood.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

The outlet shared video from the scene that showed parts of a scooter wedged underneath one of the disabled vehicles.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

Noah Campbell died in a collision between a car, a bike and a scooter in Flitwick, Bedfordshire, at 23:50 BST on Friday.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

‘You followed me, didn’t you? You followed me here from the scooter show.’

From "The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd

Related Words

• motorbike