2
: any of a small genus (Rynchops) of long-winged marine birds that have the lower mandible longer than the upper
3
: a usually straw flat-crowned hat with a wide straight brim
4
: a fitted sleeveless dress with a usually flaring skirt
5
: a device that is attached to an electronic card reader (as on an ATM) and used to obtain data (such as a credit card number) secretly and illicitly
The credit union said someone had fitted a skimmer over the ATM card slot to collect information on inserted cards but the company said it wasn't sure how many cards had been affected at this time.—
The Leader-Herald (Gloversville, NewYork)
The Leader-Herald (Gloversville, NewYork)Once you put your card in, the device, called a skimmer, reads and records all the account information stored on the magnetic strip, and even retrieves your PIN as you punch it into the keypad.—Mary Hunt
Mary HuntExamples of skimmer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In Franklin, police are searching for two men suspected of installing card skimmers at multiple Kroger grocery stores throughout the city, the department said in a statement Saturday.
—Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean, 14 Aug. 2024
While typically, web skimming attacks target checkout pages, this skimmer was active on all pages except the checkout page.
—Rui Ribeiro, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Black skimmers swooped low over their own reflections.
—Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 17 Mar. 2025
From the comfort of the parking lot, guests can spot whimbrels, black-necked stilts and American oystercatchers, while the occasional black skimmer—a striking seabird that uses its lengthy lower bill to skim the water for prey—can be spotted as well.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skimmer
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Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean, 14 Aug. 2024
While typically, web skimming attacks target checkout pages, this skimmer was active on all pages except the checkout page.
—Rui Ribeiro, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Black skimmers swooped low over their own reflections.
—Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 17 Mar. 2025
From the comfort of the parking lot, guests can spot whimbrels, black-necked stilts and American oystercatchers, while the occasional black skimmer—a striking seabird that uses its lengthy lower bill to skim the water for prey—can be spotted as well.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skimmer
Cite this Entry
“Skimmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skimmer. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
skimmer
noun
skim·mer
ˈskim-ər 
: one that skims
especially
: a flat scoop or spoon with holes that is used for skimming
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