sleigh

1 of 2

noun

ˈslā How to pronounce sleigh (audio)
: an open usually horse-drawn vehicle with runners for use on snow or ice

Illustration of sleigh

Illustration of sleigh

sleigh

2 of 2

verb

sleighed; sleighing; sleighs

intransitive verb

: to drive or travel in a sleigh

Examples of sleigh 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
Authorities are contacted, and the military shoots Jack and his sleigh out of the sky. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Oct. 2026 The latter line, in its phrasing and melody and even the musical tone of its words, is an almost perfect mimic of Santa Claus asking Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to guide his sleigh. — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 14 July 2026
Verb
From the sparks flying between exes in A Merry Little Ex-Mas to a festive transformation in My Secret Santa, these holiday movies are guaranteed to sleigh your seasonal watchlist. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025 The queens of Christmas are sleighing their way back to Southern California. — Holly Alvarado, Daily News, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sleigh

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Dutch slee, alteration of slede; akin to Middle Dutch sledde sled

First Known Use

Noun

1703, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1729, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sleigh was in 1703

Phrases Containing sleigh

Rhymes for sleigh

See All Rhymes for sleigh

Browse Nearby Words

sleided
sleigh
sleigh bed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sleigh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleigh. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sleigh

1 of 2 noun
ˈslā How to pronounce sleigh (audio)
: an open usually horse-drawn vehicle with runners for use on snow or ice

sleigh

2 of 2 verb
: to drive or travel in a sleigh

More from Merriam-Webster on sleigh

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sleigh

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