sledge

¹

[ slej ]

noun

1. a vehicle of various forms, mounted on runners and often drawn by draft animals, used for traveling or for conveying loads over snow, ice, rough ground, etc.
2. a sled.
3. British. a sleigh.

verb (used with or without object)

, sledged, sledg·ing.

1. to convey or travel by sledge.

verb (used without object)

, sledged, sledg·ing.

1. British. to sleigh.

sledge

²

[ slej ]

noun

, sledged, sledg·ing.

1. sledgehammer ( defs 1, 2 ).

sledge

¹

/ slɛdʒ; slɛd /

noun

1. Also calledsleigh a vehicle mounted on runners, drawn by horses or dogs, for transporting people or goods, esp over snow
2. a light wooden frame used, esp by children, for sliding over snow; toboggan
3. a farm vehicle mounted on runners, for use on rough or muddy ground

verb

1. to convey, travel, or go by sledge

sledge

²

/ slɛdʒ /

noun

1. See sledgehammer
   short for sledgehammer

sledge

³

/ slɛdʒ /

verb

1. tr to bait (an opponent, esp a batsman in cricket) in order to upset his concentration

noun

1. an insult aimed at another player during a game of cricket

Derived Forms

• ˈsledger, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sledge¹

1595–1605; < dialectal Dutch sleeds, derivative of slede sled; sleigh

Origin of sledge²

before 1000; Middle English slegge, Old English slecg; cognate with Dutch slegge, Old Norse sleggja; akin to slay

Word History and Origins

Origin of sledge¹

C17: from Middle Dutch sleedse; C14 sled, from Middle Low German, from Old Norse slethi, related to slide

Origin of sledge²

of uncertain origin; perhaps from sledgehammer

Example Sentences

After all, you miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take, but you also miss 100 percent of the shots that get blocked by a sledge.

From FiveThirtyEight

Athletes sit on sledges, or sleds, that balance on two blades similar to those of a hockey skate, and their sticks have metal teeth that help the players propel themselves around the rink — they’re also handy when you’re looking to stab an opponent.

From FiveThirtyEight

Guests can rent cottages near his residence, where they have access to a swimming pool, sports facilities such as skis and sledges, a restaurant and a New Year’s souvenirs store.

From Time

Webb made his clay from ancient bricks that he found on walks in Brooklyn, then smashed to a powder with a sledge hammer.

From The Daily Beast

Americans love winners and they love underdogs, and when we took a sledge hammer to kill ants, people turned against us.

From The Daily Beast

Fortunately, the last crash had been passed without dislocating the parts of either sledge or rider.

From Project Gutenberg

In truth, it was so intently engaged with a sleeping seal that it had not observed the approach of the sledge.

From Project Gutenberg

Rising at once he bundled up his traps, threw the line of his small hand-sledge over his shoulder, and stepped out for home.

From Project Gutenberg

Soon the sledge which the dogs had drawn to the woods was piled high with deer and other game.

From Project Gutenberg

Thrice, all his strength flew with a downright stroke,—a smithy's sledge less crushing.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bobsled
• luge