Etymology Map
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Sled

2 stages from Middle Dutch to English.

Today it means a vehicle on runners for travelling over snow

Where does the word "sled" come from? It comes from Middle Dutch sledde, adopted directly into English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
sledde
Middle Dutch · medieval
"sledge"
a sledge; related to 'slide'
2
Stage 2 of 2
sled
English · 1300s
"sledge"
Americans kept 'sled', while British English mostly says 'sledge'
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Read the full story

Sled’s story begins in Middle Dutch: sledde meant “sledge.” A sledge; related to 'slide'. It reached English by 1300s as sled. Americans kept 'sled', while British English mostly says 'sledge'. Today, sled means a vehicle on runners for travelling over snow.