scissor

1 of 2

noun

scis·​sor ˈsi-zər How to pronounce scissor (audio)
Synonyms of scissornext
: scissors

scissor

2 of 2

verb

scissored; scissoring ˈsi-zə-riŋ How to pronounce scissor (audio)
ˈsiz-riŋ

transitive verb

: to cut, cut up, or cut off with scissors or shears
scissored the paper into strips

Examples of scissor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Make sure to use sharp shears or scissors to cut the pepper off the plant and never pull it off the plant. — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 24 June 2026 At the back of the store, on a large cutting table, gold scissors rest next to a bolt of navy blue wool and a container of pewter buttons. — Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 26 June 2026
Verb
At its base definition, scissoring is just about genital-to-genital stimulation, so anyone interested in doing so can scissor. — Adejoke Mason, Them, 3 Dec. 2024 When Robby scissors through the uterus, a perfect flood of bloody fluid comes cascading outward, immediately filling the prosthetic belly’s cavity. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scissor

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1625, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scissor was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing scissor

Browse Nearby Words

scissiparity
scissor
scissorbill
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scissor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scissor. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

scissor

1 of 2 noun
scis·​sor ˈsiz-ər How to pronounce scissor (audio)
: scissors

scissor

2 of 2 verb
scissored; scissoring -(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce scissor (audio)
: to cut with scissors or shears
scissored the paper into strips

More from Merriam-Webster on scissor

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for scissor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All