sledge
sledge Lexical Profile
sledge Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A vehicle mounted on runners rather than wheels, drawn by horses, dogs, or motor power and used for transporting loads or passengers across snow and ice.
"The polar expedition loaded their scientific instruments and provisions onto a heavy wooden sledge."
British A small, low frame or board on runners used especially by children for sliding down snow-covered hills.
"After the heavy overnight snowfall, the children took their plastic sledge to the park."
A large, heavy hammer with a long handle, wielded with both hands for breaking stone, driving stakes, or demolition work; a sledgehammer.
"The blacksmith swung the heavy iron sledge onto the glowing steel bar."
• verb
To travel, ride, or transport goods on a sledge over snow or ice.
"The research team sledged across the frozen glacier to reach the remote weather station."
Australian To taunt, insult, or verbally intimidate an opposing player on the field in order to disrupt their concentration (especially in cricket).
"The wicketkeeper was cautioned by the umpire for repeatedly sledging the incoming batter."
To strike, break, or pound something using a heavy sledgehammer.
"Workers sledged the old concrete foundation into manageable rubble."
Word Nuance & Usage
In British English, 'sledge' is the standard term for both a child's recreational snow coaster and a heavy freight vehicle on runners, whereas American English typically prefers 'sled' for recreational use and reserves 'sledge' for heavy-duty transport or as short for 'sledgehammer'.
• Rhymes for sledge
Word Origin & Etymology
The vehicle sense was borrowed in the 17th century from Middle Dutch 'sleedse', related to 'sled'. The hammer sense is an entirely separate word deriving from Old English 'slecg', from the Germanic root meaning 'to strike' (related to 'slay').