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
Joyhalo Pool Skimmer Net An effective pool skimmer is a must for the summer.
—Julia Fields, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025
The card skimmers look like a normal part of a POS machine or PIN pad and can be easily attached in less than a minute.
—Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Equally familiar to longtime skimmers of the report are her exhortations for why more tangible action is needed: the pace of progress is still too slow, sustainability cannot be viewed as a siloed function and the cost of inaction is greater than any expenditure to keep sustainability in motion.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 29 Sep. 2025
Nearby, Caspian terns, American avocets, and black skimmers rested on the beach, each in its own group.
—Joan Strassmann, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skimmer
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Julia Fields, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025
The card skimmers look like a normal part of a POS machine or PIN pad and can be easily attached in less than a minute.
—Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Equally familiar to longtime skimmers of the report are her exhortations for why more tangible action is needed: the pace of progress is still too slow, sustainability cannot be viewed as a siloed function and the cost of inaction is greater than any expenditure to keep sustainability in motion.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 29 Sep. 2025
Nearby, Caspian terns, American avocets, and black skimmers rested on the beach, each in its own group.
—Joan Strassmann, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 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 27 Nov. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share