dogtrot

noun dog·trot \ ˈdȯg-ˌträt \

Updated on: 3 Apr 2018

Definition of dogtrot

1 : a quick easy gait suggesting that of a dog

2 chiefly Southern US and Midland US : a roofed passage similar to a breezeway; especially : one connecting two parts of a cabin

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Recent Examples of dogtrot from the Web

The family built two dogtrot cabins that are encapsulated within the Spring Run House.

— taylor m. riley, The Courier-Journal, "This Kentucky log cabin was transformed into a charming bed and breakfast inn. Take a tour," 29 Mar. 2018
With its boxy geometry and dogtrot porch — three rooms on one side of the breezeway and two on the other — the folk-style house looks like a collaboration between Donald Judd and Annie Oakley.

— michael tortorello, New York Times, "Every Plant Has a Story. You Just Need to Dig.," 4 Mar. 2018
The Biggses lived in a big old rambly house with rooms on both sides of a long dogtrot hallway and a deep, shady porch on the front.

— sid evans, Southern Living, "Looking for Harper Lee," 19 Feb. 2016
Portions of the main home (originally constructed with hardwood cedar logs as a two-room dogtrot) date back to the Civil War.

— elizabeth finkelstein, Country Living, "Peek Inside This Exquisite Round Top, Texas Farmhouse for Sale," 5 Oct. 2017
The Biggses lived in a big old rambly house with rooms on both sides of a long dogtrot hallway and a deep, shady porch on the front.

— sid evans, Southern Living, "Looking for Harper Lee," 11 July 2017
A dogtrot-style structure with two sections separated by a large, central breezeway, it was inspired by 19th-century Texas pioneer cabin design.

— mike powell, New York Times, "$2,195,000 Homes in Texas, Florida and Michigan," 4 Jan. 2017

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

First Known Use of dogtrot

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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dogtrot

verb

Definition of dogtrot

intransitive verb

: to move or progress at a dogtrot

First Known Use of dogtrot

circa 1900

in the meaning defined above

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