luge

[loozh]

noun

1. a one- or two-person sled for coasting or racing down a chute, used especially in Europe.

verb (used without object)

luged, luging 

1. to go or race on a luge.

   to luge at nearly 70 miles per hour.

luge

/ luːʒ /

noun

1. a racing toboggan on which riders lie on their backs, descending feet first

verb

1. (intr) to ride on a luge

Other Word Forms

• luger noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of luge¹

Borrowed into English from dialectal French around 1900–05

Word History and Origins

Origin of luge¹

C20: from French

Related Words

• bobsled 

When To Use

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.