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.
On Tuesday, March 25, police found a male pit bull mix without a collar in a dumpster in Ann Arbor, Mich., according to the City of Ann Arbor Police Department. Raven Brunner, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025 The window has developed certain regulars, namely a sweet pit bull mix named Juice and Cali, who regularly comes dressed in her best pearls. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025 Milo, a 3-year-old terrier pit bull mix, didn’t have a good life up until someone finally started looking out for him, the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said in a March 21 Facebook post. Tj MacIas, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025 Amid protests, the shelter weighed whether or not to euthanize Sarge, an almost 2-year-old pit bull mix, or send him to another facility in recent days. Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Pit bull.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pit%20bull. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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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