plural snorkels
1
: a plastic tube that allows a swimmer to breathe while keeping the head or face under the surface of the water
He swam about 250 yards on the surface, using a snorkel to breathe, to get past the barren sandy bottom.—
Brian Clark
Brian ClarkNo complicated equipment—just a mask, snorkel, and fins, and you're set to explore a shimmering world of exotic fish and Technicolor coral.—Richard Alleman
Richard Alleman2
: a tube housing air intake and exhaust pipes for a vehicle's engine that can be extended above the water's surface so that the engine can be operated while the vehicle is partially or fully submerged
Water entered the snorkel of an Argentine submarine and caused one of its batteries to short circuit before the vessel went missing this month, a navy spokesman said Monday.—Chicago Tribune
Chicago TribuneMost need to be specially modified … with extra ground clearance to get over big rocks, an exhaust snorkel for river crossings, industrial-strength suspension, and an engine with enough torque to power through mud and sand.—Jerry Guo
Jerry GuoExamples of snorkel in a Sentence
Verb
We snorkeled in the Caribbean on our vacation last year.
Recent Examples on the Web
New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2024
Hike, bike, paddle, swim, fish, snorkel, camp—do it all in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
Published: Aug 30, 2024 Updated: Oct 9, 2024
All nature is good, but some nature is just a little more fun.
—Outside Online, 30 Aug. 2024
Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2024
Spend days snorkeling or diving with the resort’s marine biologist or using any of Secret’s motorized or non-motorized toys.
—Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for snorkel 
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.
Noun
Tiger's decades-long experience in the overland industry shines through in promotional materials that spend more time focusing on its rigid unibody motorhome-to-truck mounting system and aluminum/fiberglass construction than flashy accessories like snorkels, bull bars and off-road lights.
—New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2024
Hike, bike, paddle, swim, fish, snorkel, camp—do it all in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
Published: Aug 30, 2024 Updated: Oct 9, 2024
All nature is good, but some nature is just a little more fun.
—Outside Online, 30 Aug. 2024
Verb
The species was first noticed by someone who was diving or snorkeling near the Crandon Marina in early August, according to researchers.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2024
Spend days snorkeling or diving with the resort’s marine biologist or using any of Secret’s motorized or non-motorized toys.
—Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for snorkel
Dictionary Entries Near snorkel
Cite this Entry
“Snorkel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snorkel. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
snorkel
1 of 2 noun
snor·kel
ˈsnȯr-kəl 
1
: a tube or tubes that can be extended above the surface of the water to supply air to and remove exhaust from a submerged submarine
2
: a tube used by swimmers for breathing with the head under water
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share