plural scooters
1
a
: a vehicle ridden usually 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
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
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.
The Tiber’s low water level has also turned up e-bikes and scooters, refrigerators and even a car further upstream. Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 The bill also lowers the driver age for low-speed e-scooters from 18 to 16, expanding youths’ access statewide to scooters. Narmeen Khan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 Delivery guys squeeze by with their handcarts; kids dodge and weave on their scooters; dogs sniff near her ankles and move on. Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 More recent numbers could be higher since high fuel prices have motivated many to use transit, bikes, e-bikes and scooters. Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scooter

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of scooter was in 1912

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Cite this Entry

“Scooter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scooter. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

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

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