1

sled

noun \ ˈsled \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 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

But that January, the equipment on those sleds was assembled into a monstrous drill that, with a jet of hot water, melted a hole, 20 inches wide and 2,600 feet deep – straight through the ice, and into the lake.

— National Geographic, "The West Antarctic Ice Sheet Seems to Be Good at Collapsing," 13 June 2018
But the proposal for seismic work included two 150-strong teams of workers, airstrips, giant sleds, and explosives to search for and map underground oil or natural gas reserves.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Companies’ first step in drilling for oil in ANWR draws scathing federal response," 31 May 2018
Beckett’s green plastic sled is under a bush nearby.

— mark shanahan, BostonGlobe.com, "Was my son’s frightening injury an owl attack?," 28 Mar. 2018
Then the Fins trade a prolific, productive young receiver in Jarvis Landry (getting in return a used tackling sled and a box of kicking tees).

— greg cote, miamiherald, "If these daring moves backfire the Dolphins will be a laughingstock | Miami Herald," 12 Mar. 2018
One sled is at least in the mix, if still a distance from the top three.

— paul myerberg, USA TODAY, "2018 Winter Olympics: Disappointing day for USA four-man bobsledders; medal chances slim," 24 Feb. 2018
Park your snowmobile out front, where sleds are as ubiquitous as cars.

— travelwisconsin.com, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Two Days to Explore: Hayward," 4 Jan. 2018
The company’s 680-kilogram metal sled zipped along a 300-meter track reaching about 100 kilometers per hour in just 1.1 seconds.

— larry greenemeier, Scientific American, "First SpaceX Hyperloop Transit Pod Contender Unveiled [Video]," 14 May 2016
In the winter, snowmachines, skiers, dog sleds and fat bikes are still allowed on the road.

— laurel andrews, Anchorage Daily News, "11 glacier adventures near Anchorage," 2 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.

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

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
People who would otherwise be disengaged from whatever luge is – sledding down a narrow, serpentine track – have suddenly taken a shine to it.

— ashley hoffman, Time, "The Internet's New Favorite Pastime Is Swooning Over Luge Sensation Chris Mazdzer," 13 Feb. 2018
From ice skating to sledding to a night at one of Chicago’s museums, there’s lots to do in Chicago this winter — both indoors and out.

— sadé carpenter, RedEye Chicago, "Embrace or escape from the cold with these winter activities in Chicago," 21 Dec. 2017
The shopping center's vacant lot is wet today, but a week ago, Shoemaker said, the kids were sledding down the hill and crowding a fire pit to make s'mores.

— erin kirkland, Anchorage Daily News, "From archery to agriculture, 4-H hopes to nurture a kids’ passion," 16 Apr. 2018
Several buttons display Michigan themes, including acorn leaves and sledding, as well.

— domenica bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star, "Indy has a button convention; here are stories behind 5 of the most fascinating pieces," 10 Mar. 2018
Angela Lekkas took her children sledding in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.

— CBS News, "Chicago's first snowstorm of the weekend ends but more snow is on the way," 10 Feb. 2018
Katie Samson is a former Radnor goalie who suffered a spinal cord injury while sledding in 1999 and became a quadriplegic.

— rick o'brien, Philly.com, "Quinn McCahon helps Malvern Prep lacrosse rout Avon Grove," 28 Apr. 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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