A sled, sledge, or sleigh is a land vehicle with a smooth underside or possessing a separate body supported by two or more smooth, relatively narrow, longitudinal runners that travels by sliding across a surface. Most sleds are used on surfaces with low friction, such as snow or ice. In some cases, sleds may be used on mud, grass, or even smooth stones. They may be used to transport passengers, cargo, or both. Shades of meaning differentiating the three terms often reflect regional variations depending on historical uses and prevailing climate.In Britain sledge, toboggan and sled are synonymous, although sledge and, to a lesser extent, toboggan are far more common than sled. Sleigh refers to a moderate to large-sized, usually open-topped vehicle equipped with space for at least one passenger, and typically drawn by horses. In Scandinavia particularly a sleigh may also be drawn by dogs or (as for Father Christmas) by reindeer.In American usage sled remains the general term but often implies a smaller device, often for recreational use. Sledge implies a heavier sled used for moving freight or massive objects (syn. "stone boat"). Sleigh refers more specifically than in Britain to a vehicle which is essentially a cold-season alternative to a carriage or wagon and has seating for passengers; what is normally called a dog-sleigh in Britain is known as a dog-sled in North America.In Australia, where there is limited snow, sleigh and sledge are given equal preference in local parlance.