scoter

noun

sco·​ter ˈskō-tər How to pronounce scoter (audio)
plural scoters or scoter
: any of a genus (Melanitta) of sea ducks of chiefly coastal Eurasia, Canada, and the U.S. that have males with chiefly black plumage

Examples of scoter in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Lacombe: More than 20 species of geese, ducks and scoter (seaducks) live here, along with shorebirds and wading birds. — Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 27 Sep. 2024 Those hunting in marine environments may come across any number of sea-faring divers, such as common eiders or the scoters, which include surf, white-winged, and black scoters. — M.d. Johnson, Field & Stream, 30 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

circa 1674, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scoter was circa 1674

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“Scoter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scoter. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

scoter

noun
sco·​ter ˈskōt-ər How to pronounce scoter (audio)
plural scoters or scoter
: any of several ducks of coasts of Eurasia, Canada, and the U.S.

More from Merriam-Webster on scoter

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scoter

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