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
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
The two Romanians were allegedly building credit card skimmers, devices that attach to ATMs and capture the users’ card information, officials said.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2025
Devices found in grocery and convenience stores typically sit on top of the actual card reader and come with keypads, meaning the skimmer can capture pin numbers used for debit cards.
—Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean, 14 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for skimmer
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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
The two Romanians were allegedly building credit card skimmers, devices that attach to ATMs and capture the users’ card information, officials said.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2025
Devices found in grocery and convenience stores typically sit on top of the actual card reader and come with keypads, meaning the skimmer can capture pin numbers used for debit cards.
—Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean, 14 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for skimmer
Cite this Entry
“Skimmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skimmer. Accessed 4 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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