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

It’s also a send-up of legal procedurals, with Lincoln’s cases including a fight over who’s the real Santa Claus and a custody battle that devolves into a theological debate.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 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

U.S. stocks staged a dramatic rebound to kick off the first full trading week of the new year, just in time to rescue the so-called Santa Claus rally from going missing for another year.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 5, 2026

It was nearing along toward Christmas time and Bubber began to talk about the Little Lord Jesus and the red bicycle he wanted Santa Claus to bring him.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers