sleigh

1 of 2

noun

: an open usually horse-drawn vehicle with runners for use on snow or ice

Illustration of sleigh

Illustration of sleigh

sleigh

2 of 2

verb

sleighed; sleighing; sleighs

intransitive verb

: to drive or travel in a sleigh

Examples of sleigh in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Others, like Ivan and Fatima, joined the Queen in sitting in a historic royal state sleigh, posing for pictures with Santa. Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025 The staff had piled a toy train high with Modjeskas and stuffed a sleigh with chocolate suckers and egg nog taffy. Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Dec. 2025
Verb
From the sparks flying between exes in A Merry Little Ex-Mas to a festive transformation in My Secret Santa, these holiday movies are guaranteed to sleigh your seasonal watchlist. Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025 The sequel is set to sleigh ride into theaters December 4, 2026. Michileen Martin, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sleigh

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Dutch slee, alteration of slede; akin to Middle Dutch sledde sled

First Known Use

Noun

1703, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1729, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sleigh was in 1703

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sleigh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleigh. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

sleigh

1 of 2 noun
: an open usually horse-drawn vehicle with runners for use on snow or ice

sleigh

2 of 2 verb
: to drive or travel in a sleigh

More from Merriam-Webster on sleigh

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