reindeer

American  

[rayn-deer] / ˈreɪnˌdɪər /

noun

• reindeer,
  plural
• reindeers
  plural

1. any of several large deer of the genus Rangifer, of northern and Arctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North America, both male and female of which have antlers.

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reindeer British  

/ ˈreɪnˌdɪə /

noun

1. a large deer, Rangifer tarandus , having large branched antlers in the male and female and inhabiting the arctic regions of Greenland, Europe, and Asia. It also occurs in North America, where it is known as a caribou

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• reindeer
  plural
• reindeers
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of reindeer

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English raynder(e), from Old Norse hreindȳri, equivalent to hreinn “reindeer” + dȳr “animal” (cognate with deer )

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Compare meaning

How does reindeer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• reindeer vs. deer
• caribou vs. reindeer

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Explanation

A reindeer is a large, hoofed mammal with antlers. Contrary to popular Christmas folklore, reindeer can't really fly. Shhhhh. The mythological reindeer that pull Santa Claus's sleigh first appeared in print during the nineteenth century in the United States. Real reindeer are found in Northern Europe, North America, and Siberia — although North American reindeer are more often called caribou. In Arctic and Subarctic areas, reindeer are regularly hunted and raised for their meat, milk, and hides. Reindeer comes from a Scandinavian root, similar to the Old Norse hreindyri.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

reindeer reindeers

Melting permafrost has also been known to release dormant pathogens, which have previously affected the Russian reindeer population.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

They were J.Crew socks: tiny lobsters, reindeer, tasteful little acts of rebellion occurring mostly below the trouser cuff.

From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026

The Bacon Hole discovery came a decade after Nash found a reindeer engraved on the wall of a cave nearby, which was confirmed in 2012 as the then-oldest known rock art in Britain in 2012.

From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2026

Evidence shows that reindeer and horses were already becoming more common in southern Britain around 15,500 years ago, shortly before the warming period.

From Science Daily ● May 13, 2026

“We eat a lot of fish. Herring. Salt cod. And yes, reindeer, but not the hooves.”

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo

And the amount of carrots thrown away every year by UK homes could feed Santa's nine reindeers a carrot a day for nearly 500,000 years.

From BBC ● Dec. 22, 2022

Finland, defending against Soviet Russia’s invasion on the eve of World War II, relied on fighters on snowshoes and skis, expert snow and forest camouflage, and reindeers transporting weapons.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 20, 2022

If reindeers are your favorite part of the holiday season, venture to this family-owned zoo that hosts drive-through safari rides by day.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 8, 2021

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without reindeers, turtle doves, a partridge - and a Monkee.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 23, 2020

We waited until noon before our reindeers could be collected, and then set off, with the kind farewell wishes of the four Norwegian inhabitants of the place.

From Northern Travel Summer and Winter Pictures of Sweden, Denmark and Lapland by Bayard Taylor

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