reindeer

noun

rein·​deer ˈrān-ˌdir 

: 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

Then there are Arctic foxes, reindeer and beluga whales, each perfectly adapted to a world that appears almost impossibly hostile to life. — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Along the way, Anna teamed up with Kristoff, his reindeer Sven and snowman Olaf. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026

Swedish director Amanda Kernell will present Garrat du váimmu (Brace Your Heart), in which a young woman does everything in her power to keep her family’s reindeer herd alive. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026

Lisa Gutierrez shares how local reindeer farms are already prepping for the holiday season. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026

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

Phrases Containing reindeer

• reindeer moss

Rhymes for reindeer

• headgear
• midyear
• nazir
• ophir
• switchgear
• tuyere
• acyclovir
• asthenosphere
• ganciclovir
• magnetosphere
• atmosphere
• biosphere

Kids Definition

reindeer

noun

rein·​deer ˈrān-ˌdi(ə)r 

plural reindeer also reindeers

: caribou

—used especially for one of the Old World