sleigh

American  

[sley] / sleɪ /

noun

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

• sleigher noun

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

Members pay $6,500 a year plus a $5,000 initiation fee for access to private dining, curated experiences like sleigh rides and holiday parties, and optional private liquor lockers and cigar humidors for an extra fee.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

But a few years ago it posted a digitally-altered image on its Facebook page depicting Santa’s sleigh taking off from its deck.

From Salon • Dec. 24, 2025

But it is worth believing in a Santa rally—even if it means bracing for a bumpy sleigh ride to get there.

From Barron's • Dec. 22, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2025

The crooning notes of Bing Crosby’s treetops glistening and children listening and sleigh bells in the snow followed me.

From "The Wednesday Wars" by Gary D. Schmidt