a plank, bar, log, or the like, esp. one of a pair, on which something heavy may be slid or rolled along.

one of a number of such logs or timbers forming a skidway.

a low mobile platform on which goods are placed for ease in handling, moving, etc. Compare stillage .

a plank, log, low platform, etc., on or by which a load is supported.

Nautical .

any of a number of parallel beams or timbers fixed in place as a raised support for boats, spars, etc.

any of a number of timbers on which a heavy object is placed to be shoved along on rollers or slid.

an arrangement of planks serving as a runway for cargo.

an arrangement of planks serving as a fender to protect the side of a vessel during transfer of cargo.

sidewise motion of a vessel; leeway.

a shoe or some other choke or drag for preventing the wheel of a vehicle from rotating, as when descending a hill.

a runner on the under part of some airplanes, enabling the aircraft to slide along the ground when landing.

an unexpected or uncontrollable sliding on a smooth surface by something not rotating, esp. an oblique or wavering veering by a vehicle or its tires

The bus went into a skid on the icy road.

to place on or slide along a skid.

to check the motion of with a skid

She skidded her skates to a stop.

to cause to go into a skid

to skid the car into a turn.

to slide along without rotating, as a wheel to which a brake has been applied.

to slip or slide sideways, as an automobile in turning a corner rapidly.

to slide forward under the force of momentum after forward motion has been braked, as a vehicle.

(of an airplane when not banked sufficiently) to slide sideways, away from the center of the curve described in turning. Compare slip 1 ( def. 15 ) . ?

on the skids

Slang . in the process of decline or deterioration

His career is on the skids.

put the skids under

Informal . to bring about the downfall of; cause to fail

Lack of money put the skids under our plans.

the skids, Informal . the downward path to ruin, poverty

or depravity

After losing his job he began to hit the skids.

verb

drift , glide , go into skid , move , sheer , skew , slip , slue , swerve , veer , slither , dive , drop , nose-dive , plummet , plunge , sink , slump , tumble , brake , coast , drag , log , pallet , plank , platform , rail , runner , shoe , sideslip , skim , slide , spinout , support , timber

noun

decline , descent , dip , dive , downslide , downswing , downtrend , downturn , drop , drop-off , nosedive , plunge , slide , slump , tumble