# scuba

/ˈskubə/ (US) · /skˈuːbɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scuba
Updated: 2026-05-31

## Definition

equipment that divers wear to breathe underwater. It usually includes a tank of air on the diver's back and a tube for the mouth.

For teachers: an apparatus used by divers for breathing underwater, consisting of a portable cylinder of compressed air and a regulator. Originally an acronym for 'Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus'.

## Examples

- He took a SCUBA course before his trip to the ocean.
- The instructor checked every piece of SCUBA gear twice before allowing the students to enter the water.
- Modern SCUBA technology has evolved significantly since the mid-twentieth century, allowing researchers to remain submerged for extended periods to document fragile coral reef ecosystems.

## Usage notes

- Often used as a modifier before other nouns, such as 'SCUBA gear', 'SCUBA diving', or 'SCUBA tank'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.