sleigh bell

noun

1. any of several kinds of small bells, as a jingle bell, attached to a sleigh or to the harness of the animal drawing the sleigh.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sleigh bell¹

An Americanism dating back to 1765–75

Example Sentences

Butter Bean, an elderly canine of terrier extraction, trots around the house in a sweater vest bearing a jangling sleigh bell.

From Los Angeles Times

She sprinkles in specific holiday references: the Christmas tree, presents, Santa Claus, a stocking upon the fireplace, reindeer, sleigh bells, children singing and, of course, mistletoe.

From Seattle Times

The Australian songwriter Imogen Clark bashes her way through the self-explanatory “I Got Dumped for Christmas,” with sleigh bells and power-pop guitars.

From New York Times

Then they heard the jolly beat — all sleigh bells and synths, with samples of “Frosty the Snowman,” “Jingle Bells,” “Joy to the World” and Clarence Carter’s “Back Door Santa” — and everything changed.

From Washington Post

But nothing says the holiday like a fireplace crackling with real logs, sleigh bells ringing through a snowy field.

From Salon