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

"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

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

During Thursday's second semi-final, Ireland's RTE will be showing "The End of the World with Beanz", featuring 1993 Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh in Norway experiencing life as a reindeer herder.

From Barron's ● May 11, 2026

He cracked his long reindeer whip and was gone.

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell

Scientists say events like this when winter pasture in the Lapland becomes difficult for reindeers to graze have become frequent in recent years.

From BBC ● Dec. 24, 2021

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 Seattle Times ● Nov. 23, 2020

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

From Washington Times ● Nov. 23, 2020

In the mean time our reindeers had become very restive and they were held with difficulty.

From The Land of the Long Night by Paul B. (Paul Belloni) Du Chaillu

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