sleigh bell

noun

1. any of several kinds of small bells, as a jingle bell, attached to a sleigh or to the harness of the animal drawing the sleigh.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sleigh bell¹

An Americanism dating back to 1765–75

Example Sentences

“It wasn’t just like, ‘Oh, we’re going to put some sleigh bells on this record.

From Los Angeles Times

Butter Bean, an elderly canine of terrier extraction, trots around the house in a sweater vest bearing a jangling sleigh bell.

From Los Angeles Times

She sprinkles in specific holiday references: the Christmas tree, presents, Santa Claus, a stocking upon the fireplace, reindeer, sleigh bells, children singing and, of course, mistletoe.

From Seattle Times

The Australian songwriter Imogen Clark bashes her way through the self-explanatory “I Got Dumped for Christmas,” with sleigh bells and power-pop guitars.

From New York Times

Then they heard the jolly beat — all sleigh bells and synths, with samples of “Frosty the Snowman,” “Jingle Bells,” “Joy to the World” and Clarence Carter’s “Back Door Santa” — and everything changed.

From Washington Post