scuba

American  

[skoo-buh] / ˈsku bə /

noun

1. 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.

2. scuba diving.

---

verb (used without object)

scubaed, scubaing

1. scuba-dive.

scuba British  

/ ˈskjuːbə /

noun

1. 1. an apparatus used in skindiving, consisting of a cylinder or cylinders containing compressed air attached to a breathing apparatus

   2. ( as modifier )

      scuba diving

---

Etymology

Origin of scuba

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

Explanation

A scuba is a portable breathing device for deep sea divers. With the help of a scuba tank, divers can explore very deep parts of the ocean. You can use scuba for the compressed air tank itself, or to describe the divers who use it — scuba divers. Most of these scuba divers use masks and wear rubber fins on their feet to propel themselves through the water. Scuba devices are useful for recreation and tasks like coast guard search and rescue operations or marine biology observations. Scuba is an acronym, standing for "self-contained underwater breathing apparatus."

Example Sentences

Scuba divers took part in investigations at the site on Thursday and Friday and are expected to return in July and August.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

They said the collection will include products from Lululemon’s core Steady State men’s franchise, along with signature women’s styles from Define, Scuba, and Align, among others.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 27, 2025

Scuba divers off the southernmost coast of Japan’s main island first noticed shimmering coloration in Sporochnus dotyi a couple of years ago.

From Science Magazine • May 21, 2024

Scuba divers have long been attracted to the reefs of the Florida Keys for their beauty and accessibility.

From Scientific American • Aug. 20, 2023

Scuba divers were feeding fat black hoses into the sunken half of the boat, though I couldn’t tell if they were pumping water out or pumping air in.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen