Illustration of skate
plural skates also skate
: any of a family (Rajidae) of rays with the pectoral fins greatly developed giving the fish a flat diamond shape
1
a
: a metal frame that can be fitted to the sole of a shoe and to which is attached a runner or a set of wheels for gliding over ice or a surface other than ice
b
: roller skate
especially
: in-line skate
c
2
: a period of skating
skated; skating
1
: to glide along on skates propelled by the alternate action of the legs
2
: to slip or glide as if on skates
3
: to proceed in a superficial or blithe manner
: to go along or through by skating
1
: a thin awkward-looking or decrepit horse : nag
2
Examples of skate in a Sentence
Verb
hockey players skating into position
Couples skated around the rink.
She skated an excellent program in the competition.
We skate at the park.
The bugs skated along the surface of the water.
Recent Examples on the Web
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2025
The latter event allowed the children of military families, first responders and educators to lace on skates for a whirl.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
The lanky, smooth-skating center has also worked out in previous offseasons with Nathan MacKinnon, another vital member of Colorado’s leadership group who wholeheartedly endorsed Nelson’s arrival and the idea of keeping him.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skate
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Noun
His coach said Brindley might have had a skate issue.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2025
The latter event allowed the children of military families, first responders and educators to lace on skates for a whirl.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
Brodin, who turned 32 over the summer, also skated in all six of the Wild’s playoff games and 13 more for Team Sweden in the 4 Nations Face-Off in February and the IIHF World Championship in April.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
The lanky, smooth-skating center has also worked out in previous offseasons with Nathan MacKinnon, another vital member of Colorado’s leadership group who wholeheartedly endorsed Nelson’s arrival and the idea of keeping him.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skate
Cite this Entry
“Skate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skate. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
skate
1 of 3 noun
: any of numerous rays that have broad winglike fins
skate
2 of 3 noun1
: a metallic runner fitting the sole of a shoe or a shoe with a permanently attached runner used for gliding on ice
2
skate
3 of 3 verb
skated; skating
1
: to glide along on skates
2
: to slide or move as if on skates
skater
noun
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