sled

Everyday

1. (mainly US, Canada) A small vehicle that slides over snow, used by children for fun on hills; in the UK called a sledge, in Australia sometimes a toboggan. tree →
2. A bigger vehicle pulled by dogs or reindeer over snow and ice. tree →
3. (verb) To ride on a sled: We went sledding. tree →

In the lessons

In winter stories and everyday life in snowy places, kids go sledding down hills; Santa's sleigh and Arctic dog sleds appear in stories. In safety lessons: sled feet-first, away from roads and trees, and wear a helmet. In maths: «A sled slides 40 m in 8 s — speed 5 m a second». Phrases: «go sledding», «dog sled», «sled run», «pull a sled».

Examples

• We went sledding on the big hill. tree →
• The dog sled raced across the ice. tree →
• My sled can carry two children. tree →
• Always sled feet-first and away from trees. tree →
• The sled went 60 metres in 10 seconds. tree →
• Dad pulled the sled up the hill again. tree →
• In the UK we call it a sledge. tree →

Note

Plural: sleds. Past tense: sledded (double d). US/Canada «sled» = UK «sledge»; a «sleigh» is a bigger, horse- or reindeer-drawn kind. Ice and snow can be dangerous; slide only where it is safe.