top dog

noun

: a person, group, or thing in a position of authority especially through victory in a hard-fought competition

Examples of top dog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On the right, Sergiño Dest is the top dog until further notice. — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

In the semifinals, Norwell defeated Dover-Sherborn, the top dogs in Tri-Valley with Medfield. — Julian Cardillo, Boston Herald, 5 Sep. 2026

Though marketed as Ferrari’s flagship, the 849 is technically not the top dog in the marque’s lineup. — Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026

That makes his criticisms of the industry’s top dogs easy to dismiss as self-serving—which is unfortunate, because a few of his ideas deserve a more credible champion. — Will Oremus, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for top dog

• agog
• backlog
• bulldog
• bullfrog
• eclogue
• eggnog
• groundhog
• hedgehog
• leapfrog
• prolog
• sheepdog
• watchdog