ski

1 of 2

noun

ˈskē How to pronounce ski (audio)
British sometimes
ˈshē How to pronounce ski (audio)
plural skis also ski
1
a
: one of a pair of narrow strips of wood, metal, or plastic curving upward in front that are used especially for gliding over snow
b
: water ski
2
: a piece of material that resembles a ski and is used as a runner on a vehicle

ski

2 of 2

verb

skied ˈskēd How to pronounce ski (audio) ˈshēd How to pronounce ski (audio) ; skiing

intransitive verb

: to glide on skis in travel or as a sport

transitive verb

: to travel or pass over on skis
skiable
ˈskē-ə-bəl How to pronounce ski (audio)
adjective
skier noun

Examples of ski in a Sentence

Verb I have skied that mountain before.
Recent Examples on the Web
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
In the morning, stylish couples from Tokyo were arriving for a ski weekend in late May. — Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 For anyone who wants to explore the lakes at their leisure, SWS Boatworks rents boats and jet skis out of Port Carling. — Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
Verb
The All-Pro left tackle spent the weeks since pulling a hamstring during a conditioning run on the first day of training camp riding a stationary bike, grinding on a VersaClimber, working in the pool and skiing his way back into football shape. — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 Hop on a gondola While mountain resorts are best known for skiing in the winter, many keep off-season tourists happy with scenic sky rides. — Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ski

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Norwegian, from Old Norse skīth stick of wood, ski; akin to Old English scīd board, scēadan to divide — more at shed entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1890, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of ski was in 1755

Phrases Containing ski

Rhymes for ski

See All Rhymes for ski

Browse Nearby Words

Skhul man
ski
skia-
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ski.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ski. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

ski

1 of 2 noun
ˈskē How to pronounce ski (audio)
plural skis
: one of a pair of narrow strips of wood, metal, or plastic curving upward in front that are used for gliding over snow or water

ski

2 of 2 verb
skied; skiing
: to glide on skis
skier noun
Etymology

Noun

from Norwegian ski "a ski," from an early Norse word skīth "a stick of wood"

More from Merriam-Webster on ski

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ski

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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