Sleigh vs. Sled: How Are They Different?

For those living in snowy areas, a snow-covered hill is an invitation to go sledding—usually while perched on a plastic sled, often during a school snow day. But how do you tell when a sled is actually a sleigh, or when it's a toboggan? What's the distinction among the three?

As per Grammarist, a sled is any device designed for downhill travel on snow or ice. It could have runners or a flat bottom. The term is derived from the Middle Dutch word sledde, and in Britain, a sled is sometimes called a sledge.

A sleigh (from the Dutch word slee) is distinct: It’s a sled mounted on runners and is typically pulled by animals such as horses or reindeer, much like the method of travel used by Santa Claus. You wouldn’t use a sleigh unless it was being drawn by an animal.

A toboggan (from the French Canadian word tabaggane) is a type of sled that’s narrower with an upward-curving front, designed to make it easier to navigate rough terrain. Typically, toboggans don’t have runners. Historically, they were made from lightweight wood, and the Inuit used to craft them from whalebone. In the 1800s, tobogganing became a social activity for adults, who would dress semi-formally, often in dresses, before sliding down a hill.

And what about the bobsled? It’s a sled equipped with a steering mechanism. Unlike sledding or sleighing, bobsledding is an Olympic sport, though many athletes first discovered their competitive spirit while sledding (not sleighing) on a school snow day.