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

The dog, a small female tan and white pit bull mix between 1 and 3 years old, had no identification or a microchip. —Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026

Girls cuddling pit bull puppies. —Jesmyn Ward, Vanity Fair, 21 Apr. 2026

Investigators say multiple pit bull type dogs with scarring were taken from his property; as well as harnesses, syringes and vet medications. —Juli McDonald, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026

In a leafy New Jersey suburb, Baratta set out to coax Barley, a mix of pit bull, beagle and shepherd, into the afternoon air with a wind chill pushing the temperature down into the 20s. —Cathy Bussewitz, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pit bull

• brimful
• handful
• 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