snowmobile

American  

[snoh-muh-beel] / ˈsnoʊ məˌbil /

noun

1. Also called skimobile, snowcat.  a motor vehicle with a revolving tread in the rear and steerable skis in the front, for traveling over snow.

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verb (used without object)

snowmobiled, snowmobiling

1. to operate or ride in a snowmobile.

snowmobile British  

/ ˈsnəʊməˌbiːl /

noun

1. 1. a small open motor vehicle for travelling on snow, steered by two skis at the front and driven by a caterpillar track underneath

   2. Also called: bombardier.  a larger closed motor vehicle with two skis at the front and a track at each side

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Other Word Forms

• snowmobiler noun

Etymology

Origin of snowmobile

First recorded in 1920–25; snow + -mobile

Example Sentences

The snowmobile and off-road vehicle manufacturer announced recent tariff policy changes won’t have an impact on 2026 guidance.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

The mechanism works by moving an adhesive coated belt around the outside of the cell, pulling the bacterium forward in a motion that resembles a microscopic snowmobile.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2026

Chloe Jeffries, from the Gold Coast, was riding on a snowmobile with her mother in Hakuba Valley, Nagano prefecture, on Saturday when it overturned, trapping her underneath.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

In past professional lives, he has been a snowmobile guide, hot dog vendor, dog walker, wilderness trip leader, and bike courier.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 21, 2026

“It’s not going to matter if he tears up the snowmobile so bad we can’t drive it!”

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz