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
Gary Fields, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
That runs counter to decades of assumptions about Chondrichthyan fishes, the group that includes sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
And to add lights so people can skate at night.
—CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for skate
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Noun
Leslie, the police diver, said recovering earrings, wedding bands and children’s skates and returning them to the grieving families provided a therapy of sorts.
—Gary Fields, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
That runs counter to decades of assumptions about Chondrichthyan fishes, the group that includes sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
Christian Hinckle skated around the back of the net to the left corner and found Landon Carlson in the slot for a snap that cut the deficit to 2-1.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
And to add lights so people can skate at night.
—CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for skate
Cite this Entry
“Skate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skate. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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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