greyhound

noun

grey·​hound ˈgrā-ˌhau̇nd How to pronounce greyhound (audio)
: any of a breed of tall slender graceful smooth-coated dogs characterized by swiftness and keen sight and used for coursing game and racing
also : any of several related dogs compare Italian greyhound

Illustration of greyhound

Illustration of greyhound

Examples of greyhound in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Meanwhile, people with long-nose breeds like greyhounds said the collar was too short, and their pet’s nose stuck out. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 26 Jan. 2024 Dear Amy: Recently, my husband and I lost our sweet greyhound. Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2024 That’s up there with Shiba Inus (14.6), papillons (14.5), miniature dachshunds and Italian greyhounds (14). Amanda Schupak, CNN, 3 Feb. 2024 The Reel showed off the six dolls, which also come with accessories including a miniature Norman — Jenner’s Italian greyhound — and a red carpet rope barrier. Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 3 Aug. 2023 O’Donnell and Vornado had an ownership interest in the old Wonderland greyhound track in Revere for years through a firm called CBW Lending, but Mayor Brian Arrigo signed an order in November to acquire the Wonderland property by eminent domain to put a new high school there. Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Feb. 2023 In fact, Italian greyhounds were bred in Italy as companion dogs for wealthy people, often royalty. Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2023 These findings, along with the greyhound's hookworm reputation, led Kaplan to suspect something was happening on greyhound farms. Bradley Van Paridon, Scientific American, 1 June 2023 In 1993 greyhounds were competing at dozens of tracks throughout 19 states, and the National Greyhound Association reported that 39,139 new dogs were born on greyhound farms that year. Bradley Van Paridon, Scientific American, 1 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'greyhound.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English grehound, from Old English grīghund, from grīg- (akin to Old Norse grey bitch) + hund hound

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of greyhound was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near greyhound

Cite this Entry

“Greyhound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/greyhound. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

greyhound

noun
grey·​hound ˈgrā-ˌhau̇nd How to pronounce greyhound (audio)
: any of a breed of tall slender swift dogs with a smooth coat and narrow head

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