sleigh

American  

[slay] / sleɪ /

noun

• sleighs
  plural

1. a light vehicle on runners, usually open and generally horse-drawn, used especially for transporting persons over snow or ice.

2. a sled.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to travel or ride in a sleigh.

sleigh British  

/ sleɪ /

noun

1. another name for sledge 1

---

verb

1. (intr) to travel by sleigh

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• sleigher
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• sleighs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of sleigh

1690–1700, < Dutch slee, variant of slede sled; cf. slide

Explanation

A sleigh is a large sled that's pulled by horses, or in the case of Santa Claus, by reindeer. A sleigh is usually big enough for at least two passengers to ride in. Most sleighs travel across snow or ice, sliding on smooth runners, and are pulled by one or more horses. In Britain, this is more often called a sledge, or sometimes a sled. In North America, a sled is much smaller than a sleigh, and it's used for fun rather than transportation. Sleigh comes from the Dutch slee.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sleigh sleighs

Romping the go-pedal at highway speeds initiates a wild, jaw-clenching acceleration event, a Nantucket sleigh ride of instantaneous momenta.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 5, 2026

And at the end of it all, Colbert flew off in Santa’s sleigh toting his prized Captain America shield, with unicorn Abraham Lincoln and “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek, the man with all the answers.

From Salon ● May 21, 2026

Low trading volumes can also bring volatility, as relatively little selling may spark outsize moves, so investors should be ready for bumps on any sleigh ride to a year-end rally.

From Barron's ● Dec. 24, 2025

Trying to squeeze in cookie baking, holiday parties, Christmas movies and picturesque sleigh rides?

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2025

“Good-by! Good-by!” they called, and off they went, the horses trotting gaily and the sleigh bells ringing.

From "Little House in the Big Woods" by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Mr Cook asked motorists to "exercise extreme caution and vigilance" on the roads, "especially around Santa sleighs as there are often families and children crossing the roads nearby".

From BBC ● Dec. 22, 2023

In addition to more than 60 vehicles on display — including buggies, sleighs and wagons — there is a one-room schoolhouse and a wheelwright/blacksmith shop that give visitors a glimpse into the past.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 16, 2023

Much survived, however, including a wagon, textiles, sculptures of animal heads and three sleighs, which are unique.

From Reuters ● Nov. 16, 2022

In her article, Hamill researched the origins of "Jingle Bells," its composer, James L. Pierpont, and other songs about sleighs that appeared during the mid-1800s.

From Fox News ● Jan. 2, 2022

Jack believed in something—he believed in white witches and sleighs pulled by wolves, and in the world the trees obscured.

From "Breadcrumbs" by Anne Ursu