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

Two people were killed on scooters in Jackson County last year, according to data from Missouri State Highway Patrol. —Pj Green november 11, Kansas City Star, 11 Nov. 2025

Best Amazon Early Black Friday Toy Deals From the popular Magna-Tiles to Barbie dolls and scooters, Amazon’s early Black Friday toy deals have something for every kid on your shopping list. —Laura Lu, Parents, 10 Nov. 2025

According to the city’s Micromobility Dashboard, which has tracked e-scooter usage since 2019, and e-bike usage more recently, there are more than 1,000 Lime scooters operating in the city. —Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 7 Nov. 2025

This jaw-dropping work of art is without a doubt the most maximalist scooter ever assembled, and it's got loads of stunning details that set it apart from anything in the segment today. —Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing scooter

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

Rhymes for scooter

• neuter
• pewter
• router
• shooter
• suitor
• tutor
• commuter
• computer
• polluter
• recruiter
• microcomputer
• minicomputer

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