: any of a breed of small short-legged smooth-coated often black, white, and tan hounds

Illustration of beagle

Illustration of beagle

Examples of beagle 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.
That's what a group of auto analysts and journalists do for Operation Frodo, an annual cross-country convoy of beagles taken from crowded Midwest shelters to breed-specific rescues in Oregon and Washington. Summer Ballentine, USA Today, 7 July 2026 The film centers on an open rescue earlier this year and subsequent court case after activists raided Ridglan, a Wisconsin beagle breeding facility. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 July 2026 The Wrong Trousers was the second short film starring the British cheese-loving gentleman and his loyal beagle. Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026 In the days after adopting her, the Tillmans worked to build a relationship with the beagle on her terms. Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for beagle

Word History

Etymology

Middle English begle

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of beagle was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beagle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beagle. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

: any of a breed of small hounds with short legs and smooth coats

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