basset hound

noun

bas·​set hound ˈba-sət- 

: any of an old breed of short-legged hunting dogs of French origin having very long ears and a short smooth coat

called also basset

Illustration of basset hound

Examples of basset hound in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But Jenny heard Lauren yelling and comparing Jenny’s child to her elderly basset hound. —Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026

Since her adoption, Winnie shares her home with two dog siblings, a basset hound named Willy and a cocker spaniel named Stewie. —Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Feb. 2026

For fun, Haase enjoys attending sporting events around the world, from several FIFA Women's World Cups to a Formula 1 race in Europe; sewing; reading; trivia; and spending time with her 7-year-old basset hound, Ripley. —Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 17 Nov. 2025

Published in 2020, A Dog’s Perfect Christmas follows a family in crisis where a teenager, her grandfather, and his trusty basset hound struggle to keep the household together at Christmas. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French basset, from Middle French, from basset short, from bas low — more at base entry 3

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for basset hound

• aboveground
• battleground
• belowground
• paperbound
• turnaround
• ultrasound
• underground
• wraparound
• abound
• aground
• around
• astound

Kids Definition

basset hound

noun

bas·​set hound ˈbas-ət- 

: any of an old French breed of short-legged long-eared hunting dogs

called also basset