basset hound

noun

bas·​set hound ˈba-sət- How to pronounce basset hound (audio)
: any of an old breed of short-legged hunting dogs of French origin having very long ears and a short smooth coat

called also basset

Illustration of basset hound

Illustration of basset hound

Examples of basset hound in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Attendees included Charlie, Coco and their two basset hounds. Raven Brunner, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025 Simon, rescue basset hound/cattle dog mix, was sworn in as the second dog mayor of New York City on Jan. 26 outside the City Hall in downtown Manhattan. Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025 Related Stories Quite often, Porky, who also had a dog, a basset hound named Pokey, was seen wearing a beanie and huffing and puffing, trying to keep up with his best friend Jeff and Lassie. Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019 Their top nine list includes basset hounds, beagles, bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles spaniels, collies, golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, papillons and pugs. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for basset hound

Word History

Etymology

French basset, from Middle French, from basset short, from bas low — more at base entry 3

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of basset hound was in 1851

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Basset hound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basset%20hound. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

basset hound

noun
bas·​set hound ˈbas-ət- How to pronounce basset hound (audio)
: any of an old French breed of short-legged long-eared hunting dogs

called also basset

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