scooter

noun

scoot·​er ˈskü-tər 

plural scooters

1

a

: a vehicle ridden while standing that consists of a narrow footboard mounted between or atop two wheels tandem that has an upright steering handle attached to the front wheel, and that is moved by pushing with one foot

What pleases parents is the addition of hand brakes, which make today's scooters relatively safe.

—Newsweek

b

: a similar vehicle propelled by an electric motor

The rules are part of the city's attempts to cope with the rapid influx of scooters that have proven wildly popular but also raised safety concerns as they zip around at 20 mph, weaving between pedestrians or darting into traffic.

—Ely Portillo

called also electric scooter, e-scooter

2

: motor scooter

3

: a single-person vehicle ridden while seated that usually has three or four wheels and an open body framework, is typically propelled by an electric motor, and is used especially by those with impaired mobility

… where students with the most severe physical challenges—all use motorized wheelchairs or scooters—live on the first floor.

—Jodi S. Cohen

called also mobility scooter

Examples of scooter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The rear passenger of each scooter opened fire on the group, Gurley said, shooting 10 rounds. —Victoria Arancio, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2024

Researchers now find most meteorites by driving around on snow scooters. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing scooter

• electric scooter
• e-scooter
• mobility scooter
• motor scooter

Kids Definition

scooter

noun

scoot·​er ˈsküt-ər 

1

: a child's vehicle consisting of a narrow base between a front and a back wheel and guided by a handle attached to the front wheel

2

: motor scooter