sled: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, neutral. Common in everyday conversation in relevant contexts (winter, sports). Technical in specific sporting contexts.
Quick answer
What does “sled” mean?
A vehicle with long, narrow strips of wood or metal (runners) instead of wheels, used for travelling over snow and ice, typically pulled by animals or people.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A vehicle with long, narrow strips of wood or metal (runners) instead of wheels, used for travelling over snow and ice, typically pulled by animals or people.
The term can refer to any small, flat-bottomed vehicle used for gliding over snow or ice, including recreational toboggans, specialized racing sleds, or children's play vehicles. It also refers to a vehicle used in competitive sports like bobsled or luge.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English primarily uses 'sledge' for the general concept. American English primarily uses 'sled'. The verb forms (to sled/to sledge) follow the same pattern. The term 'toboggan' is more specific in both, referring to a long, flat sled without runners.
Connotations
In AmE, 'sled' is neutral and evokes childhood, winter fun, or practical transport. In BrE, 'sled' may sound slightly American or refer to specific types like 'dog sled' or 'bobsled'.
Frequency
'Sled' is high-frequency in AmE, low-to-medium in BrE. 'Sledge' is high-frequency in BrE, low-frequency in AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “sled” in a Sentence
[SUBJ] sled down [OBJ: hill/slope][SUBJ] go sledding[SUBJ] pull a sled[SUBJ] ride on/in a sledVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sled” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The children hope it snows so they can go sledging.
- We sledged down the steep slope near the pub.
American English
- Let's go sledding before it gets dark.
- We sledded down the hill all afternoon.
adjective
British English
- The sled dog team was preparing for the race. (Note: 'sled' as noun adjunct)
- He bought a new sledging helmet.
American English
- The sled dog is a hardy breed.
- They followed the sled trail through the woods.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in tourism ("dog sled tours") or manufacturing.
Academic
Rare, except in historical, geographical, or sporting studies.
Everyday
Common in regions with snow, relating to recreation, transport, or childhood memory.
Technical
Specific in winter sports (luge, bobsled, skeleton) and Arctic exploration/transport.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sled”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sled”
- Using 'sled' and 'sledge' interchangeably without awareness of regional preference.
- Confusing 'sled' (small, recreational) with 'sleigh' (larger, often horse-drawn and enclosed).
- Using 'sled' as a verb without the -ing form or preposition (e.g., "We sled the hill" is unnatural; "We went sledding down the hill" is correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A sled/sledge is generally a small, open vehicle. 'Sled' is AmE, 'sledge' is BrE. A 'sleigh' is typically larger, often horse-drawn, and may have an enclosed seat or back.
Yes, especially in American English: 'to go sledding', 'we sledded'. In British English, the verb is usually 'to go sledging' or 'to sledge'.
A toboggan is a specific type of sled: typically long, flat, and without runners, made of wood or plastic, used for downhill recreation.
Both are accepted. 'Dog sled' (two words) is more common as a noun phrase ('a dog sled'), while 'dogsled' (one word) is often used as a compound modifier ('a dogsled team').
A vehicle with long, narrow strips of wood or metal (runners) instead of wheels, used for travelling over snow and ice, typically pulled by animals or people.
Sled is usually informal, neutral. common in everyday conversation in relevant contexts (winter, sports). technical in specific sporting contexts. in register.
Sled: in British English it is pronounced /sled/, and in American English it is pronounced /sled/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SLED glides on SLender EDges (its runners) over the SLush and Snow.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SLED IS A VEHICLE FOR JOY/RECREATION ("childhood sled"), A SLED IS A TOOL FOR SURVIVAL/TRANSPORT ("Arctic sled"), A SLED IS A COMPETITIVE APPARATUS ("racing sled").
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'sled' the MOST common general term for a vehicle for snow?