bloodhound

noun

blood·​hound ˈbləd-ˌhau̇nd 

1

: any of a breed of large powerful hounds of European origin remarkable for acuteness of smell

2

: a person keen in pursuit

Illustration of bloodhound

• bloodhound 1

Examples of bloodhound in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Over the next two hours, police conducted three K-9 tracks in the area, including one using a bloodhound, but could not find Jenkins, the warrant affidavit said. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026

Officers used drones, infrared technology and bloodhounds to search through the woods near the Terrapin Trail Garage, where Ashar was last seen on camera, Mitchell said. — Angie Orellana Hernandez, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Neece is calmly and casually kind, like a faithful bloodhound without jowls. — Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Even bloodhounds, dogs so famous for their sense of smell that they’re used to track missing people, don’t smell as well a black bear. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bloodhound

noun

blood·​hound ˈbləd-ˌhau̇nd 

: any of a breed of large powerful hounds with a wrinkled face and a very good sense of smell