: any of a breed of very large massive powerful smooth-coated dogs that are apricot, fawn, or brindle and are often used as guard dogs
Illustration of mastiff
Examples of mastiff 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.
After the tragedy, Gibson's attorney said the actor had since rehomed his beloved mastiffs.—Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025 Located in the elegant Evasion Mont Blanc, there are nearly 250 miles of slopes spread over four mastiffs to ski here, and well, to plot.—Kathleen Rellihan, Outside, 5 Sep. 2025 Cane Corsos, an ancient Italian mastiff breed, are renowned for their sheer size and protective instincts.—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025 The Guinness World Record for most puppies in one litter belongs to Tia, a Neapolitan mastiff who gave birth to 24 puppies on Nov. 29, 2004, in Manea, U.K.—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mastiff
Word History
Etymology
Middle English mastif, from Medieval Latin mastivus, from Vulgar Latin *masuetivus, from Latin mansuetus tame — more at mansuetude
Share