snorkel

UK: /ˈsnɔː^rk^əl/ US: /ˈsnɔrkəl/ ,(snôr′kəl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

snor•kel /ˈsnɔrkəl/   n. [countable]

1. Nautical, Naval Terms a tube with which a swimmer can breathe while moving face down at or just below the surface of the water.
2. Naval Terms either of the tubes on a submarine that reach above the surface of the water and allow a submarine to remain submerged by taking in air and venting gases.

v. [no object]

3. to swim while breathing with a snorkel.

snor•kel•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

snor•kel  (snôr′kəl), n. 

1. Nautical, Naval Terms Also called,[Brit.,] snort. a device permitting a submarine to remain submerged for prolonged periods, consisting of tubes extended above the surface of the water to take in air for the diesel engine and for general ventilation and to discharge exhaust gases and foul air.
2. Nautical, Naval Terms a hard rubber or plastic tube through which a swimmer can breathe while moving face down at or just below the surface of the water.

v.i. 

3. to engage in snorkeling.

• German Schnorchel air intake
• 1940–45

snor′kel•er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

snorkel / ˈsnɔːk^əl/ noun

1. a device allowing a swimmer to breathe while face down on the surface of the water, consisting of a bent tube fitting into the mouth and projecting above the surface
2. (on a submarine) a retractable vertical device containing air-intake and exhaust pipes for the engines and general ventilation: its use permits extended periods of submergence at periscope depth

verb ( -kels, -kelling, -kelled) ( -kels, -keling, -keled)

1. (intransitive) to swim with a snorkel

Etymology: 20th Century: from German Schnorchel; related to German schnarchen to snore