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

The film starred Harbour as a drunken, disillusioned Santa Claus ready to hang up his hat when his sense of heroism is stirred by a young girl whose family is taken hostage. —Michileen Martin, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025

In related news, the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy have been put in charge of compliance and investigations. —Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2025

From Santa Claus to his flying reindeer, believing in magic without ever seeing its source is part of what makes the holiday special for kids around the world. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 10 June 2025

But perhaps the most delightfully unique feature is the room dedicated to Kim’s extensive collection of antique Santa Claus figurines—an homage to holiday cheer that transforms the house into a winter wonderland each year, The Journal reported. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

modification of Dutch Sinterklaas, alteration of Sint Nikolaas Saint Nicholas

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Santa Claus

• chickasaws
• chippewas
• diapause
• menelaus
• menopause
• tropopause
• ahs
• baas
• cause
• clause
• claws
• coz