Definition of terrier
: any of various usually small energetic dogs originally used by hunters to dig for small game and engage the quarry underground or drive it out
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Recent Examples of terrier from the Web
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Her mother bred West Highland terriers and her father ran an animal food company.
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The Hoovers advertised the Bath Buddy in a video that featured their own two pit bull terriers.
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Six of the dogs were likely dachshund-terrier mixes, and one was a border collie mix, according to the shelter’s euthanasia technician Amanda Dinwiddie.
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Three dogs -- a 98-pound Rottweiler, 89-pound Labrador and 10-pound terrier -- are all family pets and were removed from the home by animal control officers.
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The rector of Buxhall’s wet-nosed terrier, Bumper—everyone has to start somewhere.
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Officers say the dogs involved in the attack included a border collie and what appear to be multiple terrier mixes.
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The dogs' exact breeds are unknown, but shelter euthanasia technician Amanda Dinwiddie told television station KXII that six of the dogs appeared to be a dachshund and terrier mix, while the seventh appeared to be a border collie mix.
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The dogs' exact breeds are unknown, but shelter euthanasia technician Amanda Dinwiddie tells television station KXII that six of the dogs appeared to be a dachshund and terrier mix, while the seventh appeared to be a border collie mix.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'terrier.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Illustration of terrier
Origin and Etymology of terrier
Middle English terryer, terrer, from Anglo-French (chen) terrer, literally, earth dog, from terre earth, from Latin terra
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First Known Use: 15th century
in the meaning defined above
See Words from the same yearTERRIER Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of terrier for English Language Learners
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: a type of small dog originally used for hunting
TERRIER Defined for Kids
Definition of terrier for Students
: a usually small dog originally used by hunters to force animals from their holes
History for terrier
Terriers were first used in hunting. Their job was to dig for small animals and force them from their holes. The word terrier comes from a medieval French phrase chen terrer (or chien terrier), literally, “earth dog.” The terr- in terrier comes ultimately from Latin terra, “earth.”
Learn More about terrier
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See words that rhyme with terrier Spanish Central: Translation of terrier Nglish: Translation of terrier for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about terrier
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