Great Dane

noun

: any of a breed of tall massive powerful smooth-coated dogs

Examples of Great Dane 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.
Once the underdog, signed as an insurance policy before training camp in 2025, Dobbins must morph into a Great Dane. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026 Without chainsaws, egrets, or the large Great Dane in the harlequin phase. — Padgett Powell, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026 Neil Fanning voices the titular Great Dane, Shaggy's Scooby-snack-loving partner in crime, in both Scooby-Doo live-action films. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 June 2026 Instead, Scooby will be played by a real-life Great Dane puppy. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for Great Dane

Word History

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Great Dane was in 1774

Rhymes for Great Dane

See All Rhymes for Great Dane

Browse Nearby Words

great crested tern
Great Dane
great deal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Great Dane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Great%20Dane. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

Great Dane

noun
: any of a breed of very tall powerful smooth-coated dogs

More from Merriam-Webster on Great Dane

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Great Dane

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of nexus

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All