Santa Claus

American  

[san-tuh klawz] / ˈsæn tə ˌklɔz /

Or Santa Klaus

noun

1. a benevolent figure of legend, associated with Saint Nicholas, supposed to bring gifts to children on Christmas Eve.

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Santa Claus British  

/ ˈsæntə ˌklɔːz /

noun

1. Often shortened to: Santa.  Also called: Father Christmas.  the legendary patron saint of children, commonly identified with Saint Nicholas, who brings presents to children on Christmas Eve or, in some European countries, on Saint Nicholas' Day

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Etymology

Origin of Santa Claus

1765–75, from Dutch Sinterklaas, equivalent to sint saint + heer (Myn)heer ( def. ) + Klaas, short for Niklaas Nicholas ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Santa Claus

For longtime residents, the neighborhood itself is about as real as Santa Claus, or the tooth fairy—“East Williamsburg” could’ve just as easily been “South Greenpoint” or “West Bushwick” or “Tatooine” or “Six Flags.”

From Slate ● Sep. 6, 2026

The "spooky" note, dated to 1964, said the coins were winnings from a horse called Santa Claus that ran that year.

From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2026

At Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, a 300-acre, family-owned theme park in Santa Claus, Ind., the most-coveted openings for younger teens filled quickly after the application process began at the start of the year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 24, 2026

My sibling said she felt crestfallen and likened it to discovering there was no Santa Claus.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 7, 2026

This guy with gray hair and a Santa Claus smile meets us in the waiting room and takes us to the small chair-circle room we were in Monday.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz