Santa Claus

noun

San·​ta Claus ˈsan-tə-ˌklȯz 

 also  ˈsan-tē-

variants or Santa

ˈsan-tə 

: a plump, white-bearded, red-suited, and jolly old man in modern folklore who delivers presents to children at Christmastime

There might be a few weeks left until Christmas, but Santa Claus and his merry elves landed early in Bakersfield because several boys and girls on the nice list caught their attention.

—Ema Sasic

… we had dashed downstairs to the living room to see what Santa had brought and piled up, in great mounds of splendidly wrapped packages, under the Christmas tree—whose angel's halo brushed the ceiling.

—Anthony Bailey

Examples of Santa Claus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After the light display is unveiled, there will be children's games, activities, and a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus. —Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024

Others believed former school teacher John Mark Karr, who confessed to the 1996 strangulation in 2006, as a prime suspect; the family housekeeper Linda Hoffman-Pugh; or the town’s Santa Claus Bill McReynolds as the potential killer. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024

Another potential intruder had worked as Santa Claus and had visited the Ramsey home days before. —Nicole Acosta, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024

Cheerful programming spans 25 days and includes entertainment, attractions, music, a winter farmers market, Santa Claus, and a sparkling tree lighting ceremony on November 22 that will also be broadcast online for those at home. —Miriam Porter, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

modification of Dutch Sinterklaas, alteration of Sint Nikolaas Saint Nicholas

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined above