sledding

American  

[sled-ing] / ˈslɛd ɪŋ /

noun

1. the state of the ground permitting use of a sled.

   The mountain roads offer good sledding.

2. the going, or kind of travel, for sleds, as determined by ground and weather conditions.

3. a going, progress, or advance in any field.

   The job won't be easy sledding.

4. the act of conveying or riding on a sled.

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sledding Idioms  

1. see easy sledding; tough sledding.

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Etymology

Origin of sledding

An Americanism dating back to 1675–85; sled + -ing ¹

Explanation

Want to go sledding? Just jump on a sled and zip down a snowy hill! Whee! Sledding down a hill is fun, but dragging the sled back up is way less fun. In some parts of the world, people call this sport "sledging" or "tobogganing." While sledding is generally seen as more of a pastime than an actual sport, it's also the basis of Olympic sports like luge and bobsledding. Add some dogs and you have dog sledding. Sledding comes from the verb sled, which meant "transport or travel by sled" before it meant "ride on a sled."

Example Sentences

And after some tough early sledding, it has grown into one of the top 10 leagues in the world, with five teams valued by Forbes at more than $1 billion.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026

While winning that case would be uphill sledding, the report may have ultimately been a useful development for him.

From Slate • Apr. 25, 2026

Another side features a curving surface descending from the apex for winter sledding.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

It’s been rough sledding for all business-software names in 2026, and CrowdStrike is no exception, with shares down 18% year to date.

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

That’s unusual for the morning after a blizzard, when everybody stays home, drinking hot chocolate, and if you go out, it’s for sledding, or maybe building a snowman.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman