musher

American  

[muhsh-er] / ˈmʌʃ ər /

noun

Alaska and Northern Canada.

1. a person who competes in cross-country races with dog team and sled.

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Usage

What does musher mean? A musher is a person who steers a dogsled led by sled dogs.The term is especially used to refer to a person who does this to compete in a sled dog race, such as a cross-country race like the Iditarod.The word musher is most commonly used in Alaska and Canada, where sled dog racing is more common.Example: The prize goes to the musher, but it is the sled dogs that are the true champions.

Etymology

Origin of musher

First recorded in 1895–1900; mush ² + -er ¹

Example Sentences

All three mushers withdrew from the competition, pursuant to race rules.

From Seattle Times

The Iditarod started March 2 for 38 mushers with a ceremonial run in Anchorage, followed by the competitive start on March 3 in Willow, about 75 miles north of Anchorage.

From Seattle Times

He ultimately withdrew because he had leased his dogs to other mushers when he was disqualified and couldn’t reassemble his team in time for the race.

From Seattle Times

The organization conducted a protest outside the convention center where the mushers’ banquet was held before the ceremonial start of the race March 2 in Anchorage.

From Seattle Times

A statement from the Iditarod said it had “been determined that the animal was not sufficiently gutted by the musher.”

From Seattle Times