narrow wood or metal or plastic runners used in pairs for gliding over snow
"The new ski bindings were too tight, making it difficult to get my boots securely attached to the narrow runners."
One of a pair of long flat runners designed for gliding over snow or water.
"He carefully adjusted his bindings before stepping onto the icy slope to test out his new skis."
In plain English: A ski is one of two long, narrow boards that you stand on to glide down snow-covered hills.
"The new ski was too long for my small child."
Usage: Use this term to refer to the individual equipment piece, even though they are almost always worn in pairs. Avoid using it as a verb when you specifically mean the act of sliding down a slope; use "ski" only if referring to the gear itself.
To move on skis.
"After hours of climbing, we finally reached the summit and began to ski down the snowy slope."
In plain English: To ski is to glide down a snowy hill while standing on long, narrow boards attached to your feet.
"We went up the mountain early to ski before the sun came out."
The word ski comes from the Norwegian term for a stick of wood or snowshoe. It traveled into English to describe the equipment used for gliding over snow, while its roots lie in an ancient concept of cutting or splitting wood.