skate

1 of 4

noun (1)

plural skates also skate
: any of a family (Rajidae, especially genus Raja) of rays with the pectoral fins greatly developed giving the fish a flat diamond shape

Illustration of skate

Illustration of skate

skate

2 of 4

noun (2)

1
a
: a metal frame that can be fitted to the sole of a shoe and to which is attached a runner or a set of wheels for gliding over ice or a surface other than ice
b
: roller skate
especially : in-line skate
c
2
: a period of skating

skate

3 of 4

verb

skated; skating

intransitive verb

1
: to glide along on skates propelled by the alternate action of the legs
2
: to slip or glide as if on skates
3
: to proceed in a superficial or blithe manner

transitive verb

: to go along or through by skating

skate

4 of 4

noun (3)

1
: a thin awkward-looking or decrepit horse : nag
2

Examples of skate in a Sentence

Verb hockey players skating into position Couples skated around the rink. She skated an excellent program in the competition. We skate at the park. The bugs skated along the surface of the water.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
To commemorate the exhibition’s opening, Muñoz and the L.A. skate and streetwear brand Huf, the exhibition presenter, dropped a new capsule collection, including a hat, T-shirt, short-sleeve shirt and sweater. The Editors, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Just this year, Grand Marais’ Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply has started renting otherwise expensive and hard-to-come-by Nordic skates in 24-hour increments at $30 for just the blades and $50 for a blade and boot combo. Cinnamon Janzer, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Feb. 2024 Milwaukee Admirals mascot Roscoe will be doing a ceremonial first skate at 9 a.m. on opening day, the release said. Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 So does the Oakland Ice Center ($15 plus $7 for skate rental; oaklandice.com) and San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Ice Skating & Bowling Center ($14 plus $5 rental; skatebowl.com). Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2024 Chisholm waits Declan Chisholm, acquired off waivers from Winnipeg last week, had his second morning skate with his new team but was out of the lineup. John Shipley, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2024 Evan Rodrigues is back on the top line during morning skate with center Aleksander Barkov and right wing Sam Reinhart. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2024 Mark, on a skateboard, and Jacob, also wearing inline skates, were also in the crosswalk. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024 Between practices, Howard students help others find their footing on skates. Michelle Miller, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2024
Verb
Thanks to a relatively rare occurrence of conditions, interest in skating northern Minnesota’s unmaintained lakes and rivers has shot up this year. February 28, 2024 All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. Cinnamon Janzer, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Feb. 2024 Tucked away between the skating rink and ski slopes is the members-only area replete with exclusive dining experiences, wine lockers, and other offerings. Noah Lederman, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2024 As the first ever HBCU with a skating club, the Bisons kicked off their inaugural season with an inter-collegiate competition on Saturday. Essence, 26 Feb. 2024 Captain Gabe Landeskog skated for nearly an hour before practice Saturday. Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2024 Boldy set up the goal when took a pass from behind the net and skated along the red line before threading a nifty backhand pass to Eriksson Ek in front for a quick wrist shot. Jack Magruder, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2024 Dave Cruikshank is a four-time U.S. Olympic speedskater, the founder/owner of DC Hybrid Skating and an NHL skating coach. Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2024 But even getting the chance to skate once or twice a year in Tennessee is a treat, Mr. Senatore said. Alyson Krueger, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2024 At least that’s what Whyte thought until the day a wide-eyed half-Mexican third-grader everyone called Papi skated in. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'skate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English scate, from Old Norse skata

Noun (2)

modification of Dutch schaats, from Middle Dutch schaetse stilt, from Old French dialect (Flanders, Hainaut) *escace, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old English sceacan to shake — more at shake

Noun (3)

probably alteration of English dialect skite an offensive person

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1684, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1696, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (3)

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of skate was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near skate

Cite this Entry

“Skate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

skate

1 of 3 noun
: any of numerous rays that have broad winglike fins

skate

2 of 3 noun
1
: a metallic runner fitting the sole of a shoe or a shoe with a permanently attached runner used for gliding on ice
2

skate

3 of 3 verb
skated; skating
1
: to glide along on skates
2
: to slide or move as if on skates
skater noun
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