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: 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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
The case involved an enormous dog in Nevada named Onion, a 120-pound mastiff-Rhodesian ridgeback mix.
—
BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022
The case involved an enormous dog in Nevada named Onion, a 120-pound mastiff-Rhodesian ridgeback mix.
—BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022
Hey suggests, because a Chihuahua cannot jump high enough to make puppies with a mastiff.
—Richard Conniff, Discover Magazine, 18 Nov. 2010
Burke County Animal Services ended the post by stating that Billy Bob is a mastiff.
—Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 18 Nov. 2022
About the Company: Bully Beds is named after the owner’s dog, Bull, a cane corso mastiff.
—Dallas News, 22 Dec. 2022
The case involved an enormous dog in Nevada named Onion, a 120-pound mastiff-Rhodesian ridgeback mix.
—BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022
The case involved an enormous dog in Nevada named Onion, a 120-pound mastiff-Rhodesian ridgeback mix.
—BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022
The case involved an enormous dog in Nevada named Onion, a 120-pound mastiff-Rhodesian ridgeback mix.
—BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022
See More
BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022
The case involved an enormous dog in Nevada named Onion, a 120-pound mastiff-Rhodesian ridgeback mix.
—BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022
Hey suggests, because a Chihuahua cannot jump high enough to make puppies with a mastiff.
—Richard Conniff, Discover Magazine, 18 Nov. 2010
Burke County Animal Services ended the post by stating that Billy Bob is a mastiff.
—Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 18 Nov. 2022
About the Company: Bully Beds is named after the owner’s dog, Bull, a cane corso mastiff.
—Dallas News, 22 Dec. 2022
The case involved an enormous dog in Nevada named Onion, a 120-pound mastiff-Rhodesian ridgeback mix.
—BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022
The case involved an enormous dog in Nevada named Onion, a 120-pound mastiff-Rhodesian ridgeback mix.
—BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022
The case involved an enormous dog in Nevada named Onion, a 120-pound mastiff-Rhodesian ridgeback mix.
—BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mastiff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English mastif, from Medieval Latin mastivus, from Vulgar Latin *masuetivus, from Latin mansuetus tame — more at mansuetude
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of mastiff was
in the 14th century
Articles Related to mastiff
Dictionary Entries Near mastiff
Cite this Entry
“Mastiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mastiff. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
mastiff
noun
mas·tiff
ˈmas-təf 
: any of a breed of large powerful smooth-coated dogs often used as watchdogs and guard dogs
More from Merriam-Webster on mastiff
Nglish: Translation of mastiff for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mastiff
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