reindeer

noun

rein·​deer ˈrān-ˌdir How to pronounce reindeer (audio)
: caribou
used especially for one of the Old World

Examples of reindeer in a Sentence

a large herd of reindeer
Recent Examples on the Web The analysis led the association to temporarily close the hunt to relieve pressure on the population and to reintroduce hunting slowly once the number of reindeer increased. Hannah Hoag, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Feb. 2024 Tundra’ shows Santa grumbling as his right rear reindeer breaks formation: ‘JUMPIN’ GINGERBREAD! Bulletin Board, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2024 The anthropologist is best remembered for importing reindeer to the Scottish Highlands, centuries after they were hunted to extinction. Rachel Felder, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Kari, the Sámi woman, who was tried in Finnmark in a Danish colonial court, described the Devil taking the form not of a local animal, such as a reindeer, but of a goat, a non-native animal associated with the colonizer. Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2024 This year’s Christmas forecast has some good news for travelers, bad news for reindeer. Ginger Adams Otis, WSJ, 23 Dec. 2023 But most people don’t know the reindeer’s retail origins, says Leslie Goddard, a historian and author based in the Chicago area. Vince Guerrieri, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Dec. 2023 The barrier was likely constructed about 11,000 years ago to help hunter-gatherers pursue reindeer amid the sparse landscape after the last ice age. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 17 Feb. 2024 Outdoor Activities The fun continues outside with reindeers to feed, playful huskies to meet, and your choice of dog sleds or snowmobiles to explore the surrounding area in the winter. David Nikel, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reindeer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English reindere, from Old Norse hreinn reindeer + Middle English deer animal, deer

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reindeer was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near reindeer

Cite this Entry

“Reindeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reindeer. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

reindeer

noun
rein·​deer ˈrān-ˌdi(ə)r How to pronounce reindeer (audio)
plural reindeer also reindeers
: caribou
used especially for one of the Old World

More from Merriam-Webster on reindeer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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