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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

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
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.
Even if dogs like Nova have to wait a little longer for their forever families, stories like hers show that pit bulls can get happy endings too. Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025 The dogs involved in the attack were pit bulls, the Tyler Morning Telegraph, WFAA-8 and WTOC-11 reported, citing the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025 The 8-year-old pit bull mix suffered from kennel stress, but moving into a foster home was a life changer for the happy girl. Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 12 Nov. 2025 Introducing Wiggles, a 6-year-old pit bull mix with boundless energy who is just looking for a person to finally notice him and give him a warm home. Tj MacIas, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pit bull

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pit bull was in 1927

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Cite this Entry

“Pit bull.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pit%20bull. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

pit bull

noun
: a dog of any of several breeds originally developed for fighting and noted for strength and stamina
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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