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
Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2025
The original store is more focused on products influenced by skate, surf and music.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
Other notes • Carson Soucy continues to skate.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skate
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Noun
Back in Boston, lace up your skates at the Frog Pond on Boston Common or browse local vendors at Snowport, the Seaport District’s festive holiday market filled with artisan goods, rooftop igloos, outdoor games, and more.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2025
The original store is more focused on products influenced by skate, surf and music.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
With all three of them standing 6-foot-1 or better, Hynes is clearly looking for a size line, and Pitlick recorded four hits in the game, skating more than seven minutes.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
Other notes • Carson Soucy continues to skate.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 19 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 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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