reindeer

noun

rein·​deer ˈrān-ˌdir 

: 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

Visitors can see Britain’s only free-ranging herd of reindeer, go wild swimming, and hike through beautiful landscapes. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2025

Alta follows, where guests can take an excursion to visit a Sámi village and learn about the Indigenous and semi-nomadic reindeer herders. —Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 15 Apr. 2025

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

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

Phrases Containing reindeer

• reindeer moss

Rhymes for reindeer

• headgear
• midyear
• nazir
• tuyere
• acyclovir
• asthenosphere
• ganciclovir
• magnetosphere
• atmosphere
• biosphere
• centromere
• chemosphere

Kids Definition

reindeer

noun

rein·​deer ˈrān-ˌdi(ə)r 

plural reindeer also reindeers

: caribou

—used especially for one of the Old World