Santa Claus

noun

San·​ta Claus ˈsan-tə-ˌklȯz 

 also  ˈsan-tē-

variants or Santa

ˈsan-tə 

: a plump, white-bearded, red-suited, and jolly old man in modern folklore who delivers presents to children at Christmastime

There might be a few weeks left until Christmas, but Santa Claus and his merry elves landed early in Bakersfield because several boys and girls on the nice list caught their attention.

—Ema Sasic

… we had dashed downstairs to the living room to see what Santa had brought and piled up, in great mounds of splendidly wrapped packages, under the Christmas tree—whose angel's halo brushed the ceiling.

—Anthony Bailey

Examples of Santa Claus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s no magic from Santa Claus. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025

Kevin Boydston, a soon to turn 64-year-old Platte County construction worker, has for 25 years been a Santa Claus. —Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025

Directed by Oleksandr Kirienko, the plot centers on Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus and the Ancient Spirit of Winter, who compete for the title of chief wizard of Christmas. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025

Ads for vape products would not be allowed to feature cartoon, animated or fictional characters, including Santa Claus, or anything that could appeal to children. —Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

modification of Dutch Sinterklaas, alteration of Sint Nikolaas Saint Nicholas

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Santa Claus

• chickasaws
• chippewas
• diapause
• menelaus
• menopause
• tropopause
• ahs
• baas
• cause
• clause
• claws
• coz