a sled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sled" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a vehicle of various types that is used for sliding over snow or ice, often for recreation or transportation. Example: "The children eagerly climbed onto a sled and raced down the snowy hill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rosebud is a sled.

The New York Times

Get a sled, find any hill in Ithaca, and go.

Cornell University

"I bought a sled in '96 for my daughter.

The New York Times

I'll just be standing there on a sled".

The Guardian - Travel

He had never been on a sled, but so what.

The New York Times

One season, everyone wanted to be a sled dog.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He was removed from the course on a sled.

The New York Times

"I've been pulling this campaign like a sled dog.

The New York Times

What I don't understand is why they can't call a luge a sled.

The New York Times - Magazine

There was no room on a sled team for a dog that didn't listen.

The New Yorker

Sled dog, any canine used in Arctic climates to pull a sled across snow and ice.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about winter activities, use "a sled" to refer to a general-purpose vehicle for sliding down snow-covered hills. Be specific with terms like "toboggan", "sleigh", or "bobsled" for clarity when describing particular types of sleds.

Common error

Avoid using "sled" as a verb (e.g., "He sledded down the hill") in formal writing. Instead, use "go sledding" or "ride a sled" for greater clarity and grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sled" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig shows it used in various contexts to describe an object used for sliding on snow or ice.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a sled" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase, widely used to refer to a vehicle for sliding on snow or ice. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans diverse contexts, from recreational activities to scientific applications. It appears most frequently in news and media, academic writing, and encyclopedic entries. While generally neutral, it can also appear in formal or scientific contexts. When describing winter activities, it's appropriate to use "a sled" generally or specify types like "toboggan", "sleigh", or "bobsled" for better clarity. Avoid using "sled" as a verb in formal writing; instead, use alternatives like "go sledding".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sledge

A variant term, often used interchangeably with "sled", particularly in British English.

a toboggan

Refers to a long, runnerless sled made of a curved board.

a winter sled

Highlights the association of the sled with the winter season.

a sleigh

Denotes a vehicle on runners, typically horse-drawn, for traveling over snow or ice.

a racing sled

Emphasizes the use of the sled for competitive racing.

a bobsled

Indicates a steerable racing sled used in the sport of bobsledding.

a luge

Refers to a small sled used in the sport of luge, where riders descend feet first.

a snowmobile

Refers to a motorized vehicle designed for traveling on snow.

a flexible flyer

Refers to a classic steerable sled brand known for its flexible runners.

a snow tube

Describes an inflatable tube used for sliding down snowy hills.

FAQs

How do I use "a sled" in a sentence?

You can use "a sled" to refer to a vehicle used for sliding down snow or ice. For example, "The children took "a sled" to the park for some winter fun".

What are some synonyms for "a sled"?

Depending on the type of sled, you could use words like "a toboggan", "a sleigh", or "a luge".

Is it correct to say "sledded"?

While "sledded" is sometimes used informally as the past tense of "sled", it's generally more appropriate to say "went sledding" or "rode "a sled"" in formal writing.

What's the difference between "a sled" and "a sleigh"?

"A sled" is a general term for a vehicle used for sliding on snow or ice. "A sleigh", on the other hand, is typically larger and often pulled by animals, like horses or reindeer.