skimmer
noun
skim·mer
| \ ˈski-mər
\
\
Definition of skimmer
2
: any of a small genus (Rynchops) of long-winged marine birds that have the lower mandible longer than the upper
3
: a usually straw flat-crowned hat with a wide straight brim
4
: a fitted sleeveless dress with a usually flaring skirt
5
: a device that is attached to an electronic card reader (as on an ATM) and used to obtain data (such as a credit card number) secretly and illicitly
The credit union said someone had fitted a skimmer over the ATM card slot to collect information on inserted cards but the company said it wasn't sure how many cards had been affected at this time. — The Leader-Herald (Gloversville, NewYork) Once you put your card in, the device, called a skimmer, reads and records all the account information stored on the magnetic strip, and even retrieves your PIN as you punch it into the keypad.— Mary Hunt
Examples of skimmer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For the latter, inspect the machine for skimmers (devices that steal your password) and post a friend as a security guard during the withdrawal. — Andrea Sachs, Twin Cities, "10 common travel scams — and how to avoid them," 10 Aug. 2019 The skimmer was placed on the machine outside the Educators Credit Union, at 4000 W. Loomis Road, from July 15 to 16, according to police. — Elliot Hughes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Greenfield police are asking for the public's help identifying a man who placed a skimmer on an ATM," 25 July 2019 In a two-minutes video posted on Facebook, Freeport Police Chief Ray Garivey said a Texas Dow Employee Credit Union located in Freeport recently fell victim to skimmer technology. — Jay R. Jordan, Houston Chronicle, "How to spot card skimmers on ATMs," 28 June 2018 Miscellaneous: Sightings included a horned grebe at Duxbury Beach, a whimbrel at Belle Isle Marsh in Boston, and two black skimmers at Demarest Lloyd State Park in Dartmouth. — BostonGlobe.com, "Bird sightings across the region," 26 Aug. 2019 Law enforcement agencies in Florida have been sounding the alarm again about bluetooth gas pump skimmers, a high-tech form of theft that’s been around for a few years. — Tiffini Theisen, orlandosentinel.com, "Several more credit-card number stealing skimmers found in latest sweep of gas pumps in Florida," 9 Aug. 2019 Federal authorities said the scheme involved using the credit-card information stolen by the skimmers to make unauthorized ATM withdrawals and money-order purchases. — Andy Nguyen, latimes.com, "Burbank and Glendale men charged in East Coast card-skimming scheme," 5 July 2019 Mason snapped the images of the black skimmers while educating people about the birds nesting on the beach -- in her role as volunteer bird steward. — Danielle Garrand, CBS News, "Disturbing photo shows mother bird feeding her chick a cigarette butt," 3 July 2019 Using a skimmer or strainer, remove the lemon verbena leaves from the cream mixture. — Bibby Gignilliat, The Mercury News, "Quick Cook: How to make Lemon Verbena Ice Cream," 20 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'skimmer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for skimmer
skimmer
noun
English Language Learners Definition of skimmer
: a spoon with holes in it that is used by cooks for skimming things
See the full definition for skimmer in the English Language Learners Dictionary