toboggan

1 of 2

noun

to·​bog·​gan tə-ˈbä-gən 

1

: a long flat-bottomed light sled made usually of thin boards curved up at one end with usually low handrails at the sides

2

: a downward course or a sharp decline

3

chiefly Southern US and Midland US : stocking cap

Illustration of toboggan

• toboggan 1

toboggan

2 of 2

verb

tobogganed; tobogganing; toboggans

intransitive verb

1

: to coast on or as if on a toboggan

2

: to decline suddenly and sharply

tobogganer noun

tobogganist

tə-ˈbä-gə-nist 

noun

Examples of toboggan in a Sentence

Verb

The kids tobogganed down the hill.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The city added additional amenities and infrastructure, including ski and toboggan slopes, through the federal Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression. —Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 14 Feb. 2026

Skiing may be the second-most exciting way to slide at Chestnut Ridge, though, with the park’s iconic toboggan chutes taking the cake. —Brian Higgins, Outside, 28 Jan. 2026

Verb

For a mountain thrill that doesn't involve strapping on your skis or board, Schladming offers nearly a dozen tobogganing destinations. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 12 Feb. 2026

For a more child-like thrill, go tobogganing on the 3.6-mile sled trail in Täsch. —Jen Murphy, Outside, 20 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Canadian French tobogan, of Algonquian origin; akin to Micmac tobâgun drag made of skin

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for toboggan

• andropogon
• dogon
• noggin

Kids Definition

toboggan

1 of 2 noun

to·​bog·​gan tə-ˈbäg-ən 

: a long light sled made without runners and curved up at the front

toboggan

2 of 2 verb

: to slide on a toboggan