1

sled

noun \ ˈsled \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Definition of sled

1 : a vehicle usually on runners for transportation especially on snow or ice; especially : a small steerable one used especially by children for coasting down snow-covered hills

2 : rocket sled

See sled defined for English-language learners

See sled defined for kids

Recent Examples of sled from the Web

The Atlantic’s Ed Yong writes that these dogs were the first to be bred for a specific purpose, namely pulling their humans’ sleds.

— meilan solly, Smithsonian, "European Dogs Devastated Indigenous American Pup Populations," 6 July 2018
His sonar sled is equipped with long-, medium-, and short-range sonars that can scan in deeper water than the sonars that were previously used.

— ann zaniewski, Detroit Free Press, "What happened to Northwest Flight 2501? Shipwreck hunters resume search," 24 May 2018
A few of them manage to slip their sled between the hay bales and – BOOM – run into the guard rails.

— gregg doyel, Indianapolis Star, "Doyel: USA Luge's search for next great Winter Olympian visits Indianapolis," 28 June 2018
Greenland, dog sleds were used to rush ballots to remote polling areas in the country’s May 15 elections.

— staff, The Christian Science Monitor, "Meanwhile in ... Greenland, dog sleds were used to rush ballots to remote polling areas," 31 May 2018
In the videos, the boys take turns sledding behind the massive parachute, while the rest of the group races alongside in an ATV as fast as 20 mph, preparing to help stop the sled if things get too crazy.

— nicole blanchard, idahostatesman, "‘Pure Idaho boy logic’: Gusty weather led these boys to a new extreme sport | Idaho Statesman," 9 Apr. 2018
In the memorial hall Sunday night, Mayor Leona Grishkowsky cut a cake frosted with an image of a musher in a pink parka riding a sled behind two black dogs.

— tegan hanlon, Anchorage Daily News, "‘A heart as big as Alaska’: Unalakleet throws a retirement party for DeeDee Jonrowe," 12 Mar. 2018
The men hopped on the sleds and tore off into the lodgepole.

— abe streep, New York Times, "What the Arlee Warriors Were Playing For," 4 Apr. 2018
Commercial freight haulers also use them, dragging new vehicles from cities on large sleds.

— alex demarban, Anchorage Daily News, "New snow roads will link Alaska’s road system to Arctic communities," 16 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sled.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sled

Middle English sledde, from Middle Dutch; akin to Old English slīdan to slide

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

2

sled

verb

Definition of sled

sledded; sledding

transitive verb

: sledge

intransitive verb

: to ride on a sled or sleigh

—

sledder

noun

See sled defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of sled from the Web

The party will include food and beverages, music, a snowman-building contest, crafts and, of course, sledding.

— geoff bruce, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "5 things to do in the northwest suburbs this week," 2 Feb. 2018
Xavier must continue the uphill sledding demanded of Big East play.

— cincinnati enquirer, Cincinnati.com, "Fresh off Villanova upset, Butler set to visit Xavier," 1 Jan. 2018
Dan Ryan Woods 87th Street and Western Avenue 800-870-3666 Give night sledding a try on this hill, which is open late (10 a.m.-9 p.m. daily) thanks to lighting.

— sadé carpenter, RedEye Chicago, "Embrace or escape from the cold with these winter activities in Chicago," 21 Dec. 2017
Colorado members once took a weekend-long adventure that included dog sledding lessons, a hot springs visit and a yoga class for $200.

— lizzie stokes, San Antonio Express-News, "New San Antonio group leads members on women-only adventures," 9 July 2018
The land was donated by BNSF Railway in 2008 to Zinke’s Great Northern Veterans Peace Park Foundation to create a park for children to sled and skate in the winter.

— BostonGlobe.com, "President’s son drops appearance at Bush fund-raiser," 20 June 2018
New details of the plan include the creation of a skate park and climbing wall in the viaduct under the Kennedy Expressway east of The 606, as well as a splash pool, sledding hill and dog park.

— chicago tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Latest plans for Lincoln Yards development on North Side include dog park, sledding hill," 15 Mar. 2018
Based on the beloved books by Arnold Lobel, this young-audiences version of the show teaches life lessons as Frog and Toad plant gardens, go swimming, rake leaves and try sledding.

— matthew j. palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "The Beatles add music to Orlando Rep's 2018-19 season," 11 June 2018
Alumni from the 1930s and 1970s alike shared stories of sledding down a small hill next to the school and walking home for lunch.

— avalon r. zoppo, Philly.com, "A final goodbye to nearly century-old Pennsauken school slated for demolition," 21 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sled.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of sled

1706

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SLED Defined for English Language Learners

sled

noun

Definition of sled for English Language Learners

: a small vehicle that has a flat bottom or long, narrow strips of metal or wood on the bottom and that is used for moving over snow or ice

sled

verb

Definition of sled for English Language Learners

: to ride on a sled especially down a hill

SLED Defined for Kids

1

sled

noun \ ˈsled \

Definition of sled for Students

1 : a vehicle on runners for carrying loads especially over snow

2 : a small vehicle used mostly by children for sliding on snow and ice

2

sled

verb

Definition of sled for Students

sledded; sledding

: to ride or carry on a sled

Learn More about sled

See words that rhyme with sled Spanish Central: Translation of sled Nglish: Translation of sled for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sled for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sled

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