reindeer

noun

rein·​deer ˈrān-ˌdir How to pronounce reindeer (audio)
: caribou
used especially for one of the Old World

Examples of reindeer in a Sentence

a large herd of reindeer
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Season 2 will introduce Mikaela Hoover as the voice of the blue-nosed reindeer-boy Tony Tony Chopper, and Charithra Chandran as the mysterious Miss Wednesday. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025 That’s because when high-altitude clouds of sulfur dioxide eventually form sulfuric acid, the resulting acid rain will help destroy the forests, jungles, crops, tigers, penguins, and reindeer that SAI was supposed to protect. New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2025 Inside a gorgeous mountain lodge nestled at the foot of Utah's Wasatch Range, nine telegenic men are preparing to show off their sexiest reindeer poses. Kristen Baldwin, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025 In Scandinavia, people traveled during the harsh winter months by being towed behind a reindeer on long wooden skis. Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reindeer

Word History

Etymology

Middle English reindere, from Old Norse hreinn reindeer + Middle English deer animal, deer

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reindeer was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reindeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reindeer. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

reindeer

noun
rein·​deer ˈrān-ˌdi(ə)r How to pronounce reindeer (audio)
plural reindeer also reindeers
: caribou
used especially for one of the Old World

More from Merriam-Webster on reindeer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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