1
: a member of any of several breeds of small or medium-sized mostly short-legged dogs usually having long wavy hair, feathered legs and tail, and large drooping ears
2
: a fawning servile person
Examples of spaniel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Soon after, some wondered if the Prince and Princess of Wales got another dog after a brown spaniel was spotted following William in a video Kate shared for Mother's Day in the U.K., in a montage dedicated to Mother Nature.
—
Janine Henni, People.com, 23 June 2025
The spaniel, who was left with a friend for eight days, was sitting in the passenger seat in the car, facing away from her owner, refusing to look and clearly upset about her time away.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Other pups that share similar energy levels include Belgian malinois, known for being versatile and hard-working; Dalmatians, who were first bred to be coach dogs; Brittany spaniels, known for their agility and hunting skills; and Australian shepherds, known for their exuberant personalities.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Breeds such as retrievers and spaniels are usually the most suited for water because they were bred for that purpose, but, with lots of patience and consistent training, every dog can become a great swimmer.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spaniel
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Janine Henni, People.com, 23 June 2025
The spaniel, who was left with a friend for eight days, was sitting in the passenger seat in the car, facing away from her owner, refusing to look and clearly upset about her time away.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Other pups that share similar energy levels include Belgian malinois, known for being versatile and hard-working; Dalmatians, who were first bred to be coach dogs; Brittany spaniels, known for their agility and hunting skills; and Australian shepherds, known for their exuberant personalities.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Breeds such as retrievers and spaniels are usually the most suited for water because they were bred for that purpose, but, with lots of patience and consistent training, every dog can become a great swimmer.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spaniel
Cite this Entry
“Spaniel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spaniel. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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spaniel
noun
span·iel
ˈspan-yəl 
: a member of any of several breeds of small or medium-sized mostly short-legged dogs that usually have long wavy hair and large drooping ears
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