luge

American  

[loozh] / luʒ /

noun

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

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verb (used without object)

luged, luging

1. to go or race on a luge.

   to luge at nearly 70 miles per hour.

luge British  

/ luːʒ /

noun

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

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verb

1. (intr) to ride on a luge

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

• luger noun

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

What is the difference between bobsleigh, skeleton and luge?

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

The country has won 87 luge medals overall, 38 of them gold.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

According to the organisers, former Italian cross-country ski champion Stefania Belmondo and luge legend Armin Zoeggeler will be among the first torchbearers on the Greek leg of the relay.

From Barron's • Nov. 25, 2025

No one was going to care what was on my feet at a wedding in a community center with an ice luge!

From Slate • May 12, 2024

Denry, whom nothing could induce to desert his luge, said that obviously "s-k-i" could only spell "planks."

From The Card, a Story of Adventure in the Five Towns by Bennett, Arnold

Related Words

• bobsled