snowmobile: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal to neutral; technical in manufacturing/engineering contexts.
Quick answer
What does “snowmobile” mean?
A motor vehicle, typically with skis at the front and a continuous track at the rear, designed for travelling over snow.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A motor vehicle, typically with skis at the front and a continuous track at the rear, designed for travelling over snow.
The activity or sport of riding such a vehicle; also used as a verb meaning to ride or travel on a snowmobile.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is identical in form. However, the activity and the vehicle are far more common in North America (Canada and northern US states) than in Britain, where snow conditions are less frequent and sustained. 'Snowmobiling' as the activity name is more prevalent in American English.
Connotations
In British English, it strongly connotes North American or Alpine contexts. In American/Canadian English, it is a standard term for winter recreation and transport in rural/snowy areas.
Frequency
Much higher frequency in North American English, particularly Canadian English.
Grammar
How to Use “snowmobile” in a Sentence
{Subject} snowmobiled {PP: across/through/to} {the wilderness}.{We} went snowmobiling {PP: on the lake}.{He} owns a snowmobile.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “snowmobile” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They planned to snowmobile across the frozen lake if conditions were safe.
- We'll be snowmobiling in the Alps next winter.
American English
- We snowmobiled over to the lodge for a hot chocolate.
- He spends every weekend snowmobiling the trails up north.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; no common adverbial use)
American English
- (Not standard; no common adverbial use)
adjective
British English
- The snowmobile tour was cancelled due to poor visibility.
- They attended the snowmobile show in Birmingham.
American English
- She bought a new snowmobile helmet for the season.
- The snowmobile club maintains over 200 miles of trails.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to the manufacturing, retail, or rental of snowmobiles.
Academic
In geography or tourism studies discussing winter recreation economies.
Everyday
Discussing winter plans, activities, or news about accidents/events.
Technical
In engineering contexts discussing powertrain, track design, or cold-weather performance.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “snowmobile”
- Misspelling as 'snow mobile' (two words; should be one word or hyphenated in some historical uses).
- Using as a verb without object/preposition incorrectly (e.g., 'We snowmobiled the forest' – better: 'We snowmobiled through the forest').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is standardly written as one word: 'snowmobile'. Historically, it was sometimes hyphenated ('snow-mobile'), but this is now rare.
Yes, particularly in North American English. 'To snowmobile' means to travel or ride on a snowmobile (e.g., 'We went snowmobiling all afternoon').
'Ski-Doo' (a brand by Bombardier Recreational Products) is often used generically in Canada, similar to 'hoover' for vacuum cleaner.
No. A snowplough (or snowplow) is a vehicle or device for clearing snow from roads and paths. A snowmobile is designed for personal transport and recreation over snow, not for clearing it.
A motor vehicle, typically with skis at the front and a continuous track at the rear, designed for travelling over snow.
Snowmobile is usually informal to neutral; technical in manufacturing/engineering contexts. in register.
Snowmobile: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsnəʊməbiːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsnoʊməbiːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “break trail on a snowmobile (to be the first to go through fresh snow)”
- “put the sled away (end the snowmobile season)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MOBILE in the snow: SNOW + MOBILE = a vehicle that moves in the snow.
Conceptual Metaphor
WINTER FREEDOM (a vehicle that conquers the limiting landscape of snow, enabling movement and exploration).
Practice
Quiz
In which region is the word 'snowmobile' most frequently used in everyday language?