slalom

1 of 2

noun

sla·​lom ˈslä-ləm 

often attributive

1

: skiing in a zigzag or wavy course between upright obstacles (such as flags)

2

: a timed race (as on skis or in an automobile or kayak) over a winding or zigzag course past a series of flags or markers

broadly : movement over a zigzag route

slalom

2 of 2

verb

slalomed; slaloming; slaloms

intransitive verb

: to move over a zigzag course in or as if in a slalom

Synonyms

Verb

• dodge
• duck
• jink
• sidestep
• weave
• zigzag

Examples of slalom in a Sentence

Verb

slalomed through the crowd with the ease of an Olympic skier

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

While Hirscher specializes in the less dangerous disciplines of slalom and giant slalom, Vonn races downhill and super-G, where speeds top 80 mph (130 kph). —Andrew Dampf, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2025

The World Cup skiing finals will consist of competitions over the course of six days for men and women, including the downhill, super-G, giant slalom and slalom, according to the FIS Ski World Cup Finals website. —Vincent Medina, Idaho Statesman, 9 Jan. 2025

Verb

Less than 30 seconds after Sherwood’s goal, Pettersson slalomed into the Sharks’ zone off the rush and feathered an east-west pass across to Jake DeBrusk. —Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024

The midfielder is most well known for his slaloming runs through midfield but these loans have sought to expose him to the physical aspects of senior football. —Art De Roché, The Athletic, 21 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Norwegian slalåm, literally, sloping track

First Known Use

Noun

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1932, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing slalom

• giant slalom

Kids Definition

slalom

noun

sla·​lom

ˈsläl-əm

1

: skiing in a zigzag or wavy course between upright poles

2

: a timed skiing race over such a course