reindeer

American  

[reyn-deer] / ˈreɪnˌdɪər /

noun

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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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

The adult version of Ruben is played by series creator and writer Richard Gadd, who had his TV breakthrough with Netflix hit Baby Reindeer.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

He began writing Half Man the day after completing the script for Baby Reindeer.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

Reindeer tartare with red cabbage and fermented garlic mayonnaise.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

Ponderosa pines towering more than 100 feet crashed into pens at Leavenworth Reindeer Farm, a popular destination outside town.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 21, 2025

Then I flicked red paint at her nose, so we both looked like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by the end of class.

From "P.S. I Miss You" by Jen Petro-Roy