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

Recent Examples on the Web 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 Yes, there are tree ducks like black-bellied whistling ducks, and sea ducks like surf scoters. M.d. Johnson, Field & Stream, 2 Nov. 2023 Two surf scoters at the Quabbin Reservoir, a solitary sandpiper at the Dufresne Park in Granby, a great egret at Lake Wallace in Belchertown, seven sandhill cranes in Worthington, and a pectoral sandpiper on Meadow Street in Amherst. Isabela Rocha, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Apr. 2023 The park’s many marshes serve as a paradise for birders, packed full of eye-catching species like wood ducks, surf scoters, and roseate spoonbills. Jared Ranahan, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2023 All four hunters took limits of bluebills (two birds each) Wednesday, with Wait also taking a bull canvasback and a black scoter and Miller taking a hen can. Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 24 Oct. 2022 Seeing the scoter in person ignited a fascination within Ms. Adams. Susan Cosier, WSJ, 29 July 2022 The survey extends into the waters off San Diego’s coastline where teams spotted an abundance of surf scoter sea ducks and black brant geese, as is often case. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Dec. 2021 In the region, a black scoter and a sanderling were in Northfield, and two dickcissels were found in Deerfield. BostonGlobe.com, 2 Oct. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scoter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near scoter

Cite this Entry

“Scoter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scoter. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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.

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