scooter

noun

scoot·​er ˈskü-tər 

plural scooters

1

a

: a vehicle ridden 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

Rates: From $149 per night Resort Fee: $30 per night; covers one grab 'n' go breakfast entrée per day at the Catbird Kitchen; coffee and tea in the lobby; access to the rooftop hot tub; Wi-Fi; access to laundry; fitness center; and playroom equipment (bikes, scooters). —Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2024

He was seen at Tuesday’s practice wearing a boot and riding a scooter. —Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024

Cities Shift from Customer to Regulator Enter dockless bikes in 2016, followed by dockless scooters in 2017 — and the entire ecosystem of micromobility was altered. —Regina Clewlow, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

The tower also offers vehicle-free options powered by a proprietary app to enable access to a fleet of Tesla vehicles, scooters and micro-mobility options. —George Avalos, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024

Underwater scooter rides, like so many of my favorite adventure sports, offer uninterrupted time in nature. —Stephanie Vermillion, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2024

The camera zooms in to get a better view of the scooter, which sits by its lonesome in the parking spot. —Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2024

The scooter is available for now $9,999, which is a $5,000 discount on its usual $14,999 price. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2024

Assistive devices such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes and crutches are free to check regardless of size and weight. —Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1916, 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