1
: one of a group of objects (such as planks or logs) used to support or elevate a structure or object
2
: a wooden fender hung over a ship's side to protect it in handling cargo
3
: a usually iron shoe or clog attached to a chain and placed under a wheel to prevent its turning when descending a steep hill : drag
4
: a timber, bar, rail, pole, or log used in pairs or sets to form a slideway (as for an incline from a truck to the sidewalk)
6
: either of two longitudinal pieces used as part of the landing gear of an airplane or helicopter
—usually plural
the skids of a helicopter
7
a
skids plural
: a route to defeat or downfall
on the skids
his career hit the skids
b
: a losing streak
a 5-game skid
8
: a low platform mounted (as on wheels) on which material is set for handling and moving
also
: pallet sense 3
skidded; skidding
1
: to apply a brake or skid to : slow or halt by a skid
2
a
: to haul (logs or something similar) by dragging
cutting and skidding firewood
b
: to haul along, slide, hoist, or store on skids
1
: to slide without rotating (as a wheel does when it is held from turning while a vehicle moves onward)
2
3
: to fall rapidly, steeply, or far
sales skidded last year
Synonyms
Examples of skid in a Sentence
Noun
The car hit a patch of ice and went into a skid.
This victory ends a five-game skid.
Verb
The truck skidded on the icy road.
The car skidded off the road and into the gully.
He slammed on the brakes, and the car skidded to a halt.
I skidded on the ice and fell.
Recent Examples on the Web
Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Attending a program like Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School, which has courses at locations all over the United States, will help introduce students to burnouts and the importance of tire temperatures, line lock, and transmission braking, as well as how to handle oversteer and skids.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024
The Heat, which has won three straight games, made this big jump in a short amount of time by posting the league’s top defensive rating (allowing 107.1 points per 100 possessions) since Feb. 1 to go 18-10 after that seven-game skid in January.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
Know how to handle a skid If your vehicle begins to skid, the most important thing to do is to remain calm and avoid making any sudden movements.
—Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 31 Mar. 2024
In third periods and overtime in the nine-game skid, the Sharks have now been outscored 22-1.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2024
Since ending that skid, the Heat has gone 15-10 to somewhat regain its footing.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024
Philadelphia matches the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers for the NBA’s worst skid.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
During the skid, San Jose has been outscored 16-1 in the third period, as its record fell to an NHL-worst 16-46-7.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2024
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
On Friday, a United Airlines aircraft skidded off a runway into a grassy area, and in another incident a flight from San Francisco to Mexico City was diverted to Los Angeles after an issue with the plane’s hydraulic system, the airline said.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024
The next day, a Boeing 737 skidded off the runway after landing in Houston, Texas, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
—Greg Norman, Fox News, 11 Mar. 2024
Pilots and Experts Warned of Rise in Near Collisions at Airports Before Deadly Japan Airlines Crash
According to NHK, snowy conditions on the tarmac caused the Korean Air plane to skid and collide with the second aircraft.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 16 Jan. 2024
On the losing end was Hertz Global Holdings, which skidded 6.2% to bring its loss for the year so far to 31.6%.
—Elaine Kurtenbach, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024
That incident came on the heels of another on United Flight 2477, departing from Memphis, Tennessee, which skidded off the runway into a grassy area after landing at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024
As a result, Odysseus landed harder than expected and skidded with the engine still firing.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024
Mattel rival Hasbro, the maker of Transformers and G.I. Joe, reported a fourth-quarter decline in revenue and higher losses, sending shares skidding.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 29 Feb. 2024
Noun
Bryce Harper, a player whose motivation is never questioned, snapped a season-opening 0-for-11 skid by hitting three home runs in one game.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Attending a program like Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School, which has courses at locations all over the United States, will help introduce students to burnouts and the importance of tire temperatures, line lock, and transmission braking, as well as how to handle oversteer and skids.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024
The Heat, which has won three straight games, made this big jump in a short amount of time by posting the league’s top defensive rating (allowing 107.1 points per 100 possessions) since Feb. 1 to go 18-10 after that seven-game skid in January.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
Know how to handle a skid If your vehicle begins to skid, the most important thing to do is to remain calm and avoid making any sudden movements.
—Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 31 Mar. 2024
In third periods and overtime in the nine-game skid, the Sharks have now been outscored 22-1.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2024
Since ending that skid, the Heat has gone 15-10 to somewhat regain its footing.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024
Philadelphia matches the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers for the NBA’s worst skid.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
During the skid, San Jose has been outscored 16-1 in the third period, as its record fell to an NHL-worst 16-46-7.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2024
Verb
The Razorbacks went to the Elite Eight in just his second season (2021), then followed with another Elite Eight trip in 2022 and a Sweet 16 berth in 2023 before skidding to a 16-17 mark and tying for 11th in the SEC standings in 2024.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
On Friday, a United Airlines aircraft skidded off a runway into a grassy area, and in another incident a flight from San Francisco to Mexico City was diverted to Los Angeles after an issue with the plane’s hydraulic system, the airline said.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024
The next day, a Boeing 737 skidded off the runway after landing in Houston, Texas, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
—Greg Norman, Fox News, 11 Mar. 2024
Pilots and Experts Warned of Rise in Near Collisions at Airports Before Deadly Japan Airlines Crash
According to NHK, snowy conditions on the tarmac caused the Korean Air plane to skid and collide with the second aircraft.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 16 Jan. 2024
On the losing end was Hertz Global Holdings, which skidded 6.2% to bring its loss for the year so far to 31.6%.
—Elaine Kurtenbach, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024
That incident came on the heels of another on United Flight 2477, departing from Memphis, Tennessee, which skidded off the runway into a grassy area after landing at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024
As a result, Odysseus landed harder than expected and skidded with the engine still firing.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024
Mattel rival Hasbro, the maker of Transformers and G.I. Joe, reported a fourth-quarter decline in revenue and higher losses, sending shares skidding.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 29 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'skid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
Noun
circa 1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1674, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Phrases Containing skid
Dictionary Entries Near skid
Cite this Entry
“Skid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skid. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
skid
1 of 2 noun1
: a log or plank for supporting something (as above the ground)
2
: one of the logs, planks, or rails along or on which something heavy is rolled or slid
3
: a device placed under a carriage wheel to prevent its turning
4
: a runner used as part of the landing gear of an airplane or helicopter
5
: the act of skidding : slide
skid
2 of 2 verb
skidded; skidding
1
: to haul along, slide, hoist, or store on skids
2
: to slide without rotating
the wheels skidded
3
: to fail to grip the roadway
especially
: to slip sideways on the road
the car skidded on an icy road
More from Merriam-Webster on skid
Nglish: Translation of skid for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of skid for Arabic Speakers
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