slalom

1 of 2

noun

sla·​lom ˈslä-ləm 

often attributive

1

: skiing in a zigzag or wavy course between upright obstacles (such as flags)

2

: a timed race (as on skis or in an automobile or kayak) over a winding or zigzag course past a series of flags or markers

broadly : movement over a zigzag route

slalom

2 of 2

verb

slalomed; slaloming; slaloms

intransitive verb

: to move over a zigzag course in or as if in a slalom

Synonyms of slalom

Verb

• weave
• duck

Examples of slalom in a Sentence

Verb

slalomed through the crowd with the ease of an Olympic skier

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Armstrong, who competed in slalom and giant slalom in the Paralympics in 1980 and ’84, has been a volunteer for the National Sports Center for the Disabled for the last 38 years as one of the organization’s most influential instructors. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026

There are no gas-engine vehicles in Zermatt – only electric buses and taxis that slalom between the pedestrians like four-wheeled Vespas. —Rick Steves, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026

Verb

Emmanuel Sabbi slalomed past two SDFC defenders, creating stress that led to an own goal. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2025

Pamukkale, Turkey — From a distance, Pamukkale looks every bit like a ski resort, with a cascade of brilliant white slopes and a scattering of tourists at the top, seemingly preparing to slalom down into the valley below. —Barry Neild, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Norwegian slalåm, literally, sloping track

First Known Use

Noun

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1932, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing slalom

• giant slalom

Rhymes for slalom

• collum
• column
• sholom
• solemn

Kids Definition

slalom

noun

sla·​lom

ˈsläl-əm

1

: skiing in a zigzag or wavy course between upright poles

2

: a timed skiing race over such a course