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 district attorney's office said 63-year-old Gino Ferrari's pit bull attacked K-9 Diesel while Jeannette police were helping the FBI with a search warrant on a wanted person on Adams Avenue in July. — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

In the heart of Skid Row on a hot summer afternoon, Amber Willard pushed a skinny brown and white pit bull named Athena on a rolling office chair. — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Cliff is a World War II special ops veteran who lives in a trailer with his pit bull. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026

Palm Beach police said Scharf had a pit bull inside the SUV, according to the outlet. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 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