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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Visitors come for the dramatic glaciers and icy fjords, stay for the stark beauty of the polar landscape, and leave with stories of encounters with reindeer, Arctic foxes, and perhaps even a polar bear. David Nikel, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025 Other wildlife previously captured on the show, which features no narration or music, just nature, includes bears, reindeer, birds of prey, and otters. Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025 This wild tundra is home to reindeer, arctic hares, and 40 percent of the world’s musk ox population. Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 15 Apr. 2025 Over the years, the Stewarts keep a series of reindeers, each named Star, and the animals became an Anchorage tourist attraction. Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reindeer

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reindeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reindeer. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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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