whippet

noun

whip·​pet ˈ(h)wi-pət How to pronounce whippet (audio)
: any of a breed of small swift slender dogs used for coursing small game and racing

Examples of whippet 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.
Other past winners include Thor the bulldog, Whiskey the whippet and Newton the Brussels Griffon. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 27 Nov. 2024 What are the side effects of whippets? Whippets can cause a range of immediate and long-term side effects, both physical and neurological: Dizziness and light-headedness: A common sensation after inhaling whippets due to oxygen deprivation. Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 25 Sep. 2024 Regard Main Prize Winner,Cannes 2024 Returning to his hometown following time in prison, a young man befriends a stray whippet in this tale of companionship and redemption. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 10 July 2024 Smaller, longer-nosed dogs such as Shetland sheepdogs or whippets had the longest life expectancy, with a median of 13.3 years. Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 2 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for whippet 

Word History

Etymology

probably from whip entry 1

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of whippet was in 1610

Dictionary Entries Near whippet

Cite this Entry

“Whippet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whippet. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

whippet

noun
whip·​pet ˈhwip-ət How to pronounce whippet (audio)
ˈwip-
: any of a breed of small swift slender dogs that are often used for hunting small animals or racing

More from Merriam-Webster on whippet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!