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

The event will feature A Journey to the North Pole, a walk-through experience featuring a snowy winter wonderland, elves’ workshop, Mrs. Claus’ old-fashioned kitchen, reindeer stables and Santa Claus, who will provide gifts to children ages 12 and under. —Charles Infosino, The Enquirer, 13 July 2024

But as the trailer progresses, the siblings become more lively, and we’re treated to visuals of — among other things — a machine gun-wielding Santa Claus, Luther in a ball pit, and new cast members Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally up to all kinds of shenanigans. —Rebecca Iannucci, TVLine, 9 July 2024

According to the movie’s synopsis, after Santa Claus is kidnapped an E.L.F. Task Force Commander teams up with a bounty hunter for a mission to save Christmas. —Marianne Garvey, CNN, 26 June 2024

Prince Harry has dressed up as Spider-Man and sent a message as Santa Claus (among other endeavors) for Scotty's Little Soldiers. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 26 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

modification of Dutch Sinterklaas, alteration of Sint Nikolaas Saint Nicholas

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined above