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frog

noun

ˈfrȯg How to pronounce frog (audio)
ˈfräg
1
: any of various largely aquatic leaping anuran amphibians (such as ranids) that have slender bodies with smooth moist skin and strong long hind legs with webbed feet compare toad
2
: the triangular elastic horny pad in the middle of the sole of the foot of a horse see hoof illustration
3
a
: a loop attached to a belt to hold a weapon or tool
b
: an ornamental braiding for fastening the front of a garment that consists of a button and a loop through which it passes
4
often Frog disparaging + offensive : frenchman
5
: a device permitting the wheels on one rail of a track to cross an intersecting rail
6
: a condition in the throat that produces hoarseness
had a frog in his throat
7
: the nut of a violin bow
8
: a small holder (as of metal, glass, or plastic) with perforations or spikes for holding flowers in place in a bowl or vase

Examples of frog 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.
For now, at least, the frog still reigns. Hazlitt, 3 Dec. 2025 Avani Karthik 60 Minutes This is light years beyond my biology class, where the high point was dissecting frogs. Henry Schuster, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025 Structures can take the shape of anything from reindeer and frogs to crawfish and fleur-de-lis. Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2025 That frogs can be great boyfriends. Maria Bamford, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2025 The frog, a native of Puerto Rico like Ortiz himself, is an important symbol of the island’s culture. Andy Rose, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025 When the center of protests against immigration enforcement switched recently to Charlotte, North Carolina, so did the frogs. Anya M. Galli Robertson, The Conversation, 21 Nov. 2025 Willows, egrets and frogs populate soft-bottom sections where springs and a high water table would reject a concrete casing. Emma Bowman, NPR, 17 Nov. 2025 This is where the frog costume comes in. Charlotte Observer, 17 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English frogge, from Old English frogga; akin to Old High German frosk frog; senses 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 unclearly derived & perhaps of distinct origin

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of frog was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Frog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frog. Accessed 4 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

frog

noun
ˈfrȯg How to pronounce frog (audio)
ˈfräg
1
a
: any of various tailless leaping amphibians that have slender bodies with smooth moist skin and strong long hind legs with webbed feet and that spend more of their time in the water than the related toads
b
: a hoarse condition
have a frog in one's throat
2
: an ornamental fastening for a garment (as a jacket)

Medical Definition

frog

noun
1
: any of various smooth-skinned web-footed largely aquatic tailless agile leaping amphibians (as of the suborder Diplasiocoela)
2
: the triangular elastic horny pad in the middle of the sole of the foot of a horse
3
: a condition in the throat that produces hoarseness
had a frog in his throat

More from Merriam-Webster on frog

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