bobsled

noun

bob·​sled ˈbäb-ˌsled 

1

: a short sled usually used as one of a pair joined by a coupling

2

: a large usually metal sled used in racing and equipped with two pairs of runners in tandem, a long seat for two or more people, a steering wheel, and a hand brake

bobsled intransitive verb

bobsledder noun

Examples of bobsled in a Sentence

He drove a bobsled in the winter Olympics.

Recent Examples on the Web

The monobob is similar to the NASCAR Clash in which each vehicle, in this case a bobsled, is the same. —John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026

At the rear of the structure are raised push bars, which create additional space for the bobsled’s occupants and protect dedicated push athletes. —Alessio Caprodossi, Wired News, 15 Feb. 2026

Love switched to bobsled and made the 2022 Olympics, then urged Powell to do the same. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 14 Feb. 2026

But in winter sports, athletes test those limits even further with the aid of gravity or vehicles such as skis and bobsleds to reach or exceed highway speeds. —Alex Leeds Matthews, CNN Money, 13 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from bob entry 4

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bobsled

• abed
• ahead
• beachhead
• bedspread
• bedstead
• behead
• blackhead
• blockhead
• bloodshed
• bowhead
• breastfed
• bridgehead

Kids Definition

bobsled

noun

bob·​sled ˈbäb-ˌsled 

1

: a short sled usually used as one of a joined pair

2

: a racing sled made with two sets of runners, a hand brake, and often a steering wheel

bobsled verb

bobsledder noun