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
Shannon Wianecki, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024
Additional resort inclusions include a complimentary 45-minute photography session, fitness classes, and scuba or snorkel lessons.
—Geoff Whitmore, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2025
Take everyone snorkeling to see manta rays, hop aboard the Horizon E62 house yacht at sunset to go dolphin watching, and throw a monumental dinner party on your private beach.
—Katie Kiefner, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for snorkel 
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Noun
While most snorkel tours start at Mā‘alaea Harbor, Blue Water Rafting boards at the Kihei boat ramp — offering easier access and one of the only tours of Kanaio Coast’s hidden coves and sea caves ($179, four hours).
—Shannon Wianecki, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024
Additional resort inclusions include a complimentary 45-minute photography session, fitness classes, and scuba or snorkel lessons.
—Geoff Whitmore, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
Guests can savor a Michelin-star-worthy meal one evening and snorkel along a coral reef the next day — all without worrying about surprise costs.
—Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2025
Take everyone snorkeling to see manta rays, hop aboard the Horizon E62 house yacht at sunset to go dolphin watching, and throw a monumental dinner party on your private beach.
—Katie Kiefner, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2025
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 18 Jan. 2025.
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
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