scooter

noun

scoot·​er ˈskü-tər 

plural scooters

1

a

: a vehicle ridden usually while standing that consists of a narrow footboard mounted between or atop two wheels tandem, that has an upright steering handle attached to the front wheel, and that is moved by pushing with one foot

What pleases parents is the addition of hand brakes, which make today's scooters relatively safe.

—Newsweek

b

: a similar vehicle propelled by an electric motor

The rules are part of the city's attempts to cope with the rapid influx of scooters that have proven wildly popular but also raised safety concerns as they zip around at 20 mph, weaving between pedestrians or darting into traffic.

—Ely Portillo

called also electric scooter, e-scooter

2

: motor scooter

3

: a single-person vehicle ridden while seated that usually has three or four wheels and an open body framework, is typically propelled by an electric motor, and is used especially by those with impaired mobility

… where students with the most severe physical challenges—all use motorized wheelchairs or scooters—live on the first floor.

—Jodi S. Cohen

called also mobility scooter

Examples of scooter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This decapitation strategy led to the successful assassination of Lt. General Igor Kirillov, who led the Chemical, Biological, and Nuclear Defense Troops of the Russian Armed Forces, and who was killed after a bomb planted on a scooter exploded in Moscow. —David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024

In an image of Williams at the event, she is seated in a motorized scooter with a Louis Vuitton cup holder. —Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 20 Dec. 2024

Russia’s most senior military figure, Kirillov was killed by a bomb planted by Ukraine in a scooter in Moscow two days ago. —NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024

The general, Igor Kirillov, 54, died along with an aide after an explosive device planted in a scooter was detonated yesterday morning, Russian authorities said. —Natasha Frost, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing scooter

• electric scooter
• e-scooter
• mobility scooter
• motor scooter

Kids Definition

scooter

noun

scoot·​er ˈsküt-ər 

1

: a child's vehicle consisting of a narrow base between a front and a back wheel and guided by a handle attached to the front wheel

2

: motor scooter