scuba

[ skoo-buh ]

/ ˈsku bə /

noun

a portable breathing device for free-swimming divers, consisting of a mouthpiece joined by hoses to one or two tanks of compressed air that are strapped on the back.

scuba diving.

verb (used without object), scu·baed, scu·ba·ing.

scuba-dive.

Nearby words

scrutiny, scrutoire, scry, scs, scsi, scuba, scuba diving, scuba-dive, scud, scudo, scudéry

Origin of scuba

1950–55; s(elf)-c(ontained) u(nderwater) b(reathing) a(pparatus)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for scuba

The Oculus Rift is a wearable headset that goes over the eyes like a clunky pair of scuba goggles.
Welcome to Oculus XXX: In-Your-Face 3D is the Future of Porn|Aurora Snow|October 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Accompanied by a guide, viewers can snorkel or scuba dive to the sculptures for an up-close look.
Artist Jason deCaires Taylor’s Underwater Sculptures Are a Sight to Sea|Justin Jones|April 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Scannon found his calling while on a scuba diving trip to Palau, a group of small islands near Japan.
Will These Men Ever Come Home? The Search for Missing WWII Pilots in “Vanished”|Jordan Michael Smith|November 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
If I were on a desert island I would love to have a scuba diving kit.
Benedict Cumberbatch’s Revealing Reddit AMA: On Julian Assange’s Letter and Fame|Marlow Stern|October 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Did you know the production crewmembers all had to get scuba certifications?
21 Things You Didn’t Know About ‘Finding Nemo’|Anna Klassen|October 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The boys hurried to the room where the Scuba equipment was kept.
The Electronic Mind Reader|John Blaine
The speedboat was there, and so was the Scuba cart, but the rowboat wasn't.
The Electronic Mind Reader|John Blaine
His Scuba was the type that combined the breathing apparatus with the full face plate.
The Wailing Octopus|Harold Leland Goodwin
"I'll start," Rick offered, and at Scotty's nod he picked up his Scuba and slipped into the harness.
The Flying Stingaree|Harold Leland Goodwin
Scotty and I will suit up, so our skins won't show at night, and have our Scuba equipment on.
The Flying Stingaree|Harold Leland Goodwin

British Dictionary definitions for scuba

scuba

/ (ˈskjuːbə) /

noun

an apparatus used in skindiving, consisting of a cylinder or cylinders containing compressed air attached to a breathing apparatus
(as modifier)scuba diving

Word Origin for scuba

C20: from the initials of self-contained underwater breathing apparatus

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for scuba

scuba

1952, acronym for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.