sled dog

noun

: a dog (such as a Siberian husky or Alaskan malamute) trained to draw a usually heavy sled typically with other dogs over snow-covered terrain
Sled dogs were originally used in colder regions (as of northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland, and Antarctica) as work dogs to facilitate travel and transport of supplies but are now popularly used elsewhere during the winter especially for racing.

Examples of sled dog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Sean Williams' sled dog team participates in the ceremonial start of the 52nd Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. March 2, 2024. CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024 Don’t miss Puppies on the Piazza, which offers passengers the chance to interact with sled dogs brought on board by local mushers in Skagway. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Feb. 2024 The analysis showed that Balto shared a common ancestry with modern Asian and Arctic canine lineages; the Alaskan sled dog had no detectable wolf ancestry. Alex Orlando, Discover Magazine, 28 Dec. 2023 Those who want to get up close to some of the animals that call the park home will want to visit the Denali National Park Kennels, where the park's sled dog teams live. Megan Dubois, Chron, 19 Mar. 2023 Both a Minnesota man testing a snowmobile for his employer in the Alaska backcountry and the company have been cited for reckless driving after the machine slammed into a sled dog team on a training run in December, killing three dogs. Mark Thiessen, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2024 For example, the researchers found variants that may have helped sled dogs grow strong bones and muscles, as well as a thick coat. Alex Orlando, Discover Magazine, 28 Dec. 2023 The government slaughtered their sled dogs and sent their children to residential schools. Sara Miller Llana, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Dec. 2023 Kathleen Morrill Alas, fame is fickle and fleeting, even for heroic sled dogs. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Apr. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1692, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sled dog was in 1692

Dictionary Entries Near sled dog

Cite this Entry

“Sled dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sled%20dog. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sled dog

noun
: a dog trained to draw a usually large sled especially in the Arctic regions

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