Brussels griffon

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noun (1)

: any of a breed of short-faced compact rough- or smooth-coated toy dogs of Belgian origin

called also griffon

Illustration of Brussels griffon

griffin

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noun (2)

grif·​fin ˈgri-fən 

variants or griffon or less commonly gryphon

: a mythical animal typically having the head, forepart, and wings of an eagle and the body, hind legs, and tail of a lion

Illustration of griffin

griffon

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noun (3)

grif·​fon ˈgri-fən 

1

: brussels griffon

2

: wirehaired pointing griffon

griffon

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noun (4)

grif·​fon

variant spelling of griffin

: a mythical animal typically having the head, forepart, and wings of an eagle and the body, hind legs, and tail of a lion

Examples of Brussels griffon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The third-place winner was Monkey, a gray Brussels griffon rescued at 6 months old from a hoarding situation by Scotch Haley of Pleasant Hill. — Tribune News Service, oregonlive, 26 June 2022

Noun

When Debbie, Susan, and Thom come over for a double-date pizza night, only Bret is concerned about the spate of recent home invasions, the missing pets, and the desecration of the griffin mascot. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026

Acheloo, the oldest and most powerful water spirit in ancient Greece; and two griffins, creatures that sport the head of an eagle head and the body of a lion. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English griffon, from Anglo-French grif, griffun, from Latin gryphus, from Greek gryp-, gryps

Noun (3)

French, literally, griffin

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1897, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Brussels griffon

• Brussels griffon
• wirehaired pointing griffon

Rhymes for Brussels griffon

• gryphon
• stiffen
• tiffin

Geographical Definition

Griffin

geographical name

Grif·​fin ˈgri-fən 

city south-southeast of Atlanta in west central Georgia

Biographical Definition

Griffin

biographical name

Grif·​fin ˈgri-fən 

Walter Burley 1876–1937 American architect