pit bull

noun

1

or pit bull terrier : a muscular, short-haired, stocky dog (such as an American pit bull terrier or American Staffordshire terrier) of any of several breeds or a hybrid with one or more of these breeds that was originally developed for fighting and is noted for strength, stamina, and tenacity

2

: an aggressive and tenacious person

Synonyms of pit bull

• tiger

Examples of pit bull in a Sentence

a pit bull who won't let anyone stand in her way to the top of the corporate ladder

Recent Examples on the Web

Bardadian said his daughter had walked ahead of him to the park when she was attacked by a pit bull. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

The bomb squad also killed her mother’s pit bull during the operation, Doe testified. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 July 2026

In Missouri, police agreed to pay $750,000 after officers raided a family’s home over an unpaid gas bill and shot and killed Kiya, the family’s four-year-old pit bull. — Vanessa Shakib, Oc Register, 23 July 2026

Kenneth Tolbert regularly walks Cosmo, his pit bull mix, through those trees. — Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pit bull

• brimful
• handful
• mirthful
• mouthful
• roomful
• spoonful
• full
• pull
• wool

Kids Definition

pit bull

noun

: a dog of any of several breeds originally developed for fighting and noted for strength and stamina