cocker spaniel

noun

cock·​er spaniel ˈkä-kər- How to pronounce cocker spaniel (audio)
1
2
: any of a breed of spaniels developed in the U.S. from the English cocker spaniel that are smaller in size and have a shorter muzzle and longer thicker coat

Examples of cocker spaniel 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.
The royal family are known dog lovers, from Queen Elizabeth’s famous corgis to the Wales family’s black cocker spaniel, Orla, who will no doubt join her family for Christmas at Sandringham. Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 25 Dec. 2024 The footage shows the first meeting between owner Maurice, 32, from Munich, Germany, and Murphy, an English cocker spaniel mix, when Murphy was just 10 weeks old. Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024 Originally bred for hunting, cocker spaniels have long been favored as pets. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024 James lost his cocker spaniel Ella in early 2023, and even named his 2024 memoir, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, in her honor. Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cocker spaniel 

Word History

Etymology

cocking woodcock hunting

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cocker spaniel was in 1829

Dictionary Entries Near cocker spaniel

Cite this Entry

“Cocker spaniel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cocker%20spaniel. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

cocker spaniel

noun
cock·​er spaniel ˌkäk-ər- How to pronounce cocker spaniel (audio)
: any of a breed of small spaniels with long drooping ears and long silky coat

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