Illustration of skate
plural skates also skate
: any of a family (Rajidae) of rays with the pectoral fins greatly developed giving the fish a flat diamond shape
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
skated; skating
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
: to go along or through by skating
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
Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025
Since the street is closed, event organizers encourage folks to roll, bike, skate and scoot.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2025
Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025
While shale operators have become more efficient and financially disciplined since the last downturn, many are still skating close to breakeven—especially those drilling outside the sweet spots of the Permian Basin.
—Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for skate
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Noun
Johnson, who was playing for the Panthers, suffered a fatal neck injury when he was slashed by a skate during the game.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025
Since the street is closed, event organizers encourage folks to roll, bike, skate and scoot.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
The Panthers’ 4-3 loss Wednesday, after a 5-4 loss in Game 1, has Florida skating uphill.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025
While shale operators have become more efficient and financially disciplined since the last downturn, many are still skating close to breakeven—especially those drilling outside the sweet spots of the Permian Basin.
—Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for skate
Cite this Entry
“Skate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skate. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
skate
1 of 3 noun
: any of numerous rays that have broad winglike fins
skate
2 of 3 noun1
: 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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