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

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

Videos taken that day from the men’s bedroom show smoke rising from and around nearby buildings and locals on scooters and motorbikes leaving the area.

From The Wall Street Journal

Hundreds of fans gathered outside the cathedral and applauded as the cortege arrived, preceded by a guard of scooter riders as The Stone Roses track I Wanna Be Adored played on speakers.

From BBC

Related Words

• motorbike