scooter

noun

scoot·​er ˈskü-tər 

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

: 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

And because of that, one of the Jupiter 125 scooter's biggest selling points – its 33-liter under-seat storage space – isn't possible here. —New Atlas, 19 Jan. 2025

Seattle's bike, scooter and glider ridership has surged, with this month's trips up 138% citywide and 146% in South Lake Union compared with the same period in 2024, a Lime spokesperson told Axios in an email. —Christine Clarridge, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025

When Tule Bernal encountered the three teens accused of taking the scooter, one of them shot him in the chest, the publication said. —Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 14 Jan. 2025

Police say that Tule Bernal and his son went out looking for the scooter after three teens robbed the 14-year-old, and bumped into Cox riding on it in their neighborhood. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1912, 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