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

Hence the golf carts, scooters and cars—and the bus. —David Axe, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

From the jetty at Setting Point, visitors will find small shops renting bicycles and scooters that feel suited to the island's flat landscape. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2025

Amazon canceled orders for beach chairs, scooters, air conditioners and other products from multiple vendors based in China and other Asian countries, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing a document reviewed by the news site and people familiar with the matter. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025

Related Articles Boston City Council passes measure to curb ‘dangerous’ food delivery scooter operations Boston Mayor Michelle Wu says federal funding uncertainty will lead to ‘lean’ city budget Battenfeld: Could Marty Walsh inject himself into Boston mayor’s race? —Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 2 Apr. 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