luge
Americannoun
verb (used without object)
noun
verb
Usage
What does luge mean? Luge is a sport in which racers ride a sled (also called a luge) feetfirst down an ice-covered chute with the goal of reaching the finish line as quickly as possible. The sport is sometimes also called luge sledding. Luge is an event in the Winter Olympics. It has traditionally featured solo racers, but there are also doubles luge events, in which two racers ride on the same sled, and relay events. Luge is known as one of the sliding sports, along with skeleton and bobsleigh (also called bobsled), which take place on a similar course. In luge, racers ride on their backs, in contrast with skeleton, in which racers lie on their stomachs. Luge is known for its high speeds, often exceeding 80 mph (129 km/h). Luging is also sometimes done on natural courses. Example: Luge is one of my favorite winter sports to watch because each run lasts only minutes.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of luge
Borrowed into English from dialectal French around 1900–05
Explanation
A luge is a small sled that's designed to go very fast. This is the type of sled you would ride in the Olympics, not in your neighborhood park. A luge is a small toboggan made for one or two riders, and you ride it either sitting with your legs outstretched or lying down on your back. You steer a luge using your calves, by applying pressure to one side or another, and by rolling your shoulders from side to side. Luge racing is a competitive sport that's included in the Winter Olympics, and "to luge" means to speed down a snowy hill on a luge. The word luge comes from the Latin sludia, or "sled."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ro, 31, didn’t make her debut at the World Cup of the International Luge Federation, the global governing body for skeleton, until 2023.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026
"The new president must propose things that are real, not just words," said university student Menaly Luge, 18, who is voting for Villavicencio's Construye party.
From Reuters • Aug. 20, 2023
USA Luge got its fifth World Cup luge medal of the season later Saturday, with the women’s doubles team of Chevonne Forgan and Sophie Kirkby winning silver.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 7, 2023
The International Luge Federation said Monday that what was scheduled as the opening weekend of its World Cup season — Nov. 26 and Nov. 27 in Igls, Austria — has been called off.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 1, 2022
The two-time Olympian has been hired as a junior national team coach, USA Luge announced Thursday, while also making his retirement from competitive racing official.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 28, 2022
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
