pit bull

noun

1
or pit bull terrier : a muscular, short-haired, stocky dog (such as an American pit bull terrier or American Staffordshire terrier) of any of several breeds or a hybrid with one or more of these breeds that was originally developed for fighting and is noted for strength, stamina, and tenacity
2
: an aggressive and tenacious person

Examples of pit bull in a Sentence

a pit bull who won't let anyone stand in her way to the top of the corporate ladder
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.
Police declined to confirm the dog's breed, but CBS reports that the dog was a pit bull named Buddha. Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024 Investigators found 24 pit bulls at the home, 15 of which were puppies. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 11 Oct. 2024 Post has 0 replies and 35 Likes Press Enter to expand Sadie Guest 11:01 a.m. Our pit bull rescue ... Tara Parker-Pope, Washington Post, 18 July 2024 Salazar claimed that there was a previous incident involving Rodriguez’s dogs, during which a person called the sheriff’s office after a pit bull prevented the caller from getting out of their car. Liam Quinn, People.com, 10 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pit bull 

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pit bull was in 1927

Dictionary Entries Near pit bull

Cite this Entry

“Pit bull.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pit%20bull. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

pit bull

noun
: a dog of any of several breeds originally developed for fighting and noted for strength and stamina
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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