skid

1 of 2

noun

ˈskid 

1

: one of a group of objects (such as planks or logs) used to support or elevate a structure or object

2

: a wooden fender hung over a ship's side to protect it in handling cargo

3

: a usually iron shoe or clog attached to a chain and placed under a wheel to prevent its turning when descending a steep hill : drag

4

: a timber, bar, rail, pole, or log used in pairs or sets to form a slideway (as for an incline from a truck to the sidewalk)

5

: the act of skidding : slip, sideslip

6

: either of two longitudinal pieces used as part of the landing gear of an airplane or helicopter

—usually plural

the skids of a helicopter

7

a

skids plural : a route to defeat or downfall

on the skids

his career hit the skids

b

: a losing streak

a 5-game skid

8

: a low platform mounted (as on wheels) on which material is set for handling and moving

also : pallet sense 1

skidproof

ˈskid-ˌprüf 

adjective

skid

2 of 2

verb

skidded; skidding

transitive verb

1

: to apply a brake or skid to : slow or halt by a skid

2

a

: to haul (logs or something similar) by dragging

cutting and skidding firewood

b

: to haul along, slide, hoist, or store on skids

intransitive verb

1

: to slide without rotating (as a wheel does when it is held from turning while a vehicle moves onward)

2

a

: to fail to grip the roadway

especially : to slip sideways on the road

b

of an airplane : to slide sideways away from the center of curvature when turning

c

: slide, slip

3

: to fall rapidly, steeply, or far

sales skidded last year

Synonyms

Verb

• crash
• crater
• decline
• descend
• dip
• dive
• drop
• fall
• lower
• nose-dive
• plummet
• plunge
• sink
• tumble

Examples of skid in a Sentence

Noun

The car hit a patch of ice and went into a skid.

This victory ends a five-game skid.

Verb

The truck skidded on the icy road.

The car skidded off the road and into the gully.

He slammed on the brakes, and the car skidded to a halt.

I skidded on the ice and fell.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Steelers have lost four straight, totaling 47 points and averaging 259 yards per game during their skid. —The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025

Despite the skid, the Steelers can still win the AFC North with a victory and a Baltimore Ravens loss earlier in the day to the Cleveland Browns. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025

Verb

What was notable about the big winners this year? 5 of 10 On Dec. 29, a plane carrying 181 people skidded on the runway at high speed and slammed into a wall before exploding into flames, killing all but two of those on board. —Jeremy Engle, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025

With his body prone and his arms at his sides, Van Noy’s helmet skidded in the grass, his chin strap slipped under his chin, and the top of his helmet came down over his eyes. —Dan Pompei, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skīth stick of wood — more at ski

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1674, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing skid

• anti-skid
• on skid row
• skid marks
• skid road
• skid row

Kids Definition

skid

1 of 2 noun

ˈskid 

1

: a log or plank for supporting something (as above the ground)

2

: one of the logs, planks, or rails along or on which something heavy is rolled or slid

3

: a device placed under a carriage wheel to prevent its turning

4

: a runner used as part of the landing gear of an airplane or helicopter

5

: the act of skidding : slide

skid

2 of 2 verb

skidded; skidding

1

: to haul along, slide, hoist, or store on skids

2

: to slide without rotating

the wheels skidded

3

: to fail to grip the roadway

especially : to slip sideways on the road

the car skidded on an icy road