snorkel

1 of 2

noun

snor·​kel ˈsnȯr-kəl 

plural snorkels

1

: a plastic tube that allows a swimmer to breathe while keeping the head or face under the surface of the water

He swam about 250 yards on the surface, using a snorkel to breathe, to get past the barren sandy bottom.

—Brian Clark

No complicated equipment—just a mask, snorkel, and fins, and you're set to explore a shimmering world of exotic fish and Technicolor coral.

—Richard Alleman

2

: a tube housing air intake and exhaust pipes for a vehicle's engine that can be extended above the water's surface so that the engine can be operated while the vehicle is partially or fully submerged

Water entered the snorkel of an Argentine submarine and caused one of its batteries to short circuit …

—Chicago Tribune

Most need to be specially modified … with extra ground clearance to get over big rocks, an exhaust snorkel for river crossings, industrial-strength suspension, and an engine with enough torque to power through mud and sand.

—Jerry Guo

snorkel

2 of 2

verb

snorkeled; snorkeling ˈsnȯr-k(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

: to operate or swim submerged using a snorkel

snorkeler

ˈsnȯr-k(ə-)lər 

noun

Examples of snorkel in a Sentence

Verb

We snorkeled in the Caribbean on our vacation last year.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Afternoons are made for fresh piña coladas, languid sun worshipping, and offshore adventures on motorboats fully stocked with snorkels, fins, and local beer. —Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

Either way, you’ll be treated to direct access to the park’s stunning Cinnamon Bay Beach, where there are snorkels, kayaks, and paddleboards available for rent. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2026

Verb

In Panama, families will participate in a new Blink glamping experience on the San Blas Islands, working with the Guna community while exploring coral reefs, snorkeling with dolphins, and discovering the region’s unique ecosystems. —Daniel Scheffler, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

Charles has visited every continent on Earth, drinking rancid yak butter tea in Lhasa, snorkeling with sea lions in the Galapagos and even climbing an iceberg in Antarctica. —Charles Q. Choi, Space.com, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

German Schnorchel

First Known Use

Noun

1945, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1949, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

snorkel

1 of 2 noun

snor·​kel ˈsnȯr-kəl 

1

: a tube or tubes that can be extended above the surface of the water to supply air to and remove exhaust from a submerged submarine

2

: a tube used by swimmers for breathing with the head under water

snorkel

2 of 2 verb

snorkeled; snorkeling -k(ə-)liŋ 

: to swim underwater using a snorkel