canine

noun

ca·nine | \ˈkā-ˌnīn,

British also ˈka-\

Definition of canine

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 [ Middle English, from Latin (dens) caninus canine tooth ] : a conical pointed tooth especially : one situated between the lateral incisor and the first premolar — see tooth illustration

2 : dog sense 1a broadly : canid

canine

adjective

Definition of canine (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : of or resembling that of a dog canine loyalty

2 : of or relating to dogs or to the family (Canidae) including the canids canine diseases

Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about canine

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Synonyms for canine

Synonyms: Noun

dog, doggy (or doggie), hound, pooch, tyke (also tike)

Did You Know?

Dogs are prized for their talents and intelligence but aren't always given credit for their independence. Instead, tales of canine devotion and attachment are legendary; the old Lassie and Rin-Tin-Tin television series featured at least one heroic act of devotion per show. So we often hear people described as having "doglike devotion" or "doglike loyalty". But canine itself, unlike doglike, usually refers to four-legged creatures. Canine is not only an adjective but also a noun. Dogs and their relatives in the Canidae family—the wolves, jackals, foxes, and coyotes—are often called canines. And so are those two slightly pointed teeth a bit to the right and left of your front teeth.

Examples of canine in a Sentence

Noun

in the minds of some, the winner of this prestigious dog show has a fair claim to the title of King of the Canines

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Boland’s hypothesis is that the culprit in canines is exposure to outdoor air pollution — fine air particulates, including dust and pollen — early in a puppy’s development. — Stacey Burling, Philly.com, "Penn study: Summer puppies more prone to heart disease," 21 May 2018 But this remarkable hour was The Handmaid’s Tale’s first foray into a Call of the Wild adventure story, canines and all. — refinery29.com, "The Handmaid's Tale Season 2, Episode 11 Recap: The Wolf Is A Metaphor," 27 June 2018 Visitors could enter their canines for $15 to race on a makeshift outdoor racetrack while German food and drinks were available for purchase. — Daily Pilot Staff, latimes.com, "Racing dogs draw a crowd in Huntington Beach," 25 June 2018 The day is meant to be a celebration of the companionship, love and joy between canines and humans and the hope is to inspire others to adopt pets from animal shelters and humane societies. — Cassie Armstrong, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Take Your Dog to Work Day: How to observe in Central Florida," 22 June 2018 Four types of teeth are nestled into our jaws: molars, premolars, canines and incisors, plus the optional wisdom teeth. — Charlotte Hu, Discover Magazine, "Teeth," 15 June 2018 The sprawling trail system in Big Santa Anita Canyon has a variety of hikes for people and canines of various abilities, not to mention year-round water and cover from the sun (a welcome respite in the hot summer months). — Casey Schreiner, Los Angeles Magazine, "How to Upgrade Your Pup’s Dog Park Experience in L.A.," 29 May 2018 This survey, however, focuses on people’s canine and feline companions, said Logan Freedman, who helped compile the information for the Family Center for Recovery in Lantana, Florida. — Shari Rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, "Drugged up dogs & catatonic cats? Survey finds all too often our pets get into our meds," 7 May 2018 The government agency is investigating a potential link between pet foods with peas, lentils, potatoes and other legume seeds and instances of canine dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs not typically vulnerable to the disease. — Jennifer Calfas, Time, "Dog Heart Disease May Be Linked to Potato-Based Pet Food, FDA Says," 13 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The city of San Francisco and the province of Ontario, Canada, are the two latest areas where canine flu is making an appearance. — Kim Campbell Thornton, sacbee, "Dogs can get the flu – but can’t share it with humans | The Sacramento Bee," 31 Jan. 2018 Gary Hay is a canine handler with Indiana's task force. — Holly Hays, Indianapolis Star, "Responders struggle with lingering effects of Sept. 11," 11 Sep. 2016 The canine tale is scheduled to screen at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 14, on the northeast lawn of downtown’s Lake Eola Park. — Anne Dunlap, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Free movie screening of 'Isle of Dogs' at Lake Eola Park," 13 July 2018 Don’t forget to give a shout out to the rescue organization that helped you find your canine companion. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, "Do You Have the World's Cutest Rescue Dog? People and Pedigree Want to Turn Them Into a Star!," 10 July 2018 In surveillance video released by the Apopka Police Department, the canine officer can be seen placing equipment in his police SUV when the bolt struck nearby. — Travis Fedschun, Fox News, "Lightning strikes just feet away police officer in Florida," 28 June 2018 The canine officer appeared to be putting equipment into his cruiser around 8: 30 p.m. when the bolt struck, causing him to scurry inside his car. — David Harris, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Watch the moment a lightning strike hit Apopka police headquarters, putting scare into officer," 27 June 2018 Police work is dangerous and difficult, for the canine officers as well as the humans who put their lives at risk every day to protect their communities, according to Havre de Grace Police Chief Teresa Walter. — David Anderson, The Aegis, "Havre de Grace Police K-9 receives donated ballistic vest," 26 June 2018 The dog’s body temperature reached the thermometer’s maximum reading of 110 degrees, which is about 9 degrees higher than a standard canine temperature, according to the statement. — Sophia Eppolito, BostonGlobe.com, "Chihuahua left in dog carrier dies of heatstroke," 11 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'canine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.