reindeer

American  

[reyn-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

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 )

Compare meaning

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

• reindeer vs. deer
• caribou vs. reindeer

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

"If something happens to my reindeer, like them getting out, it's going to be heartbreaking for me," he said of the risk of gates being left open.

From BBC ● May 21, 2026

Early humans likely followed migrating herds of reindeer and horses northward into newly opened grasslands that could support grazing animals.

From Science Daily ● May 13, 2026

Few species are more iconic than caribou, known as reindeer in other parts of the world.

From Slate ● Apr. 28, 2026

The meal begins with scallop brightened with currant and rye-seasoned buttermilk, then slow-cooked reindeer, sirloin and tongue, finished over wood, mushroom purée beneath and fermented cabbage cutting richness.

From Salon ● Mar. 8, 2026

She picked up the reindeer antlers and taped a paper towel to them, arranging the items to look like a white flag waving for a truce.

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

City Light did not specify if weather, everyday wildlife or reindeers tangled in power lines were to blame.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 25, 2023

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

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

Even the sleigh and the magical reindeers could never be expected to make such a trip.

From The White Christmas and other Merry Christmas Plays by Hare, Walter Ben