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
Brian ClarkNo 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
Richard Alleman2
: 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 before the vessel went missing this month, a navy spokesman said Monday.—Chicago Tribune
Chicago TribuneMost 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
Jerry GuoExamples of snorkel in a Sentence
Verb
We snorkeled in the Caribbean on our vacation last year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jared Ranahan, Travel + Leisure, 22 Jan. 2025
Restaurant Staff Rescues Couple Who Drove into Water After Getting Confused by GPS Directions
Emergency responders arrived at the scene, including an off-duty firefighter who heard the call at his home and entered the frigid waters after donning his wet suit and snorkel gear, read the news release.
—David Chiu, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 30 Jan. 2025
The man, whom the sheriff’s office has not named, was snorkeling with a commercial dive company around 2:27 p.m. when he was found unresponsive, according to the agency.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025
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Noun
During the day, visitors can take full advantage of outdoor adventure activities with complimentary kayaks and snorkel gear.
—Jared Ranahan, Travel + Leisure, 22 Jan. 2025
Restaurant Staff Rescues Couple Who Drove into Water After Getting Confused by GPS Directions
Emergency responders arrived at the scene, including an off-duty firefighter who heard the call at his home and entered the frigid waters after donning his wet suit and snorkel gear, read the news release.
—David Chiu, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
Guests can snorkel the vibrant house reefs, whale-watch with the resident marine biologist from June to September, and learn to wing foil with pro surfer Willow Hardy.
—Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 30 Jan. 2025
The man, whom the sheriff’s office has not named, was snorkeling with a commercial dive company around 2:27 p.m. when he was found unresponsive, according to the agency.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for snorkel
Dictionary Entries Near snorkel
Cite this Entry
“Snorkel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snorkel. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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