Illustration of dog
- 1 pastern
- 2 chest
- 3 flews
- 4 muzzle
- 5 stop
- 6 occiput
- 7 leather
- 8 crest
- 9 withers
- 10 loin
- 11 point of rump
- 12 hock or tarsus
- 13 knee or stifle
- 14 brisket
- 15 elbow
- 16 feathering
often attributive
1
b
: a male dog
dogs and bitches
also
: a male usually carnivorous mammal
3
a
: any of various usually simple mechanical devices for holding, gripping, or fastening that consist of a spike, bar, or hook
b
: andiron
4
: uncharacteristic or affected stylishness or dignity
put on the dog
5
6
7
8
: one inferior of its kind
the movie was a dog
: such as
a
: an investment not worth its price
b
: an undesirable piece of merchandise
9
: an unattractive person
especially
: an unattractive girl or woman
10
: hot dog sense 1
bought two dogs and a beer
dogged
ˈdȯgd 
ˈdägd
; dogging; dogs
1
a
: to hunt, track, or follow (someone) like a hound
dogged her every move
b
: to be a persistent source of difficulty or distress to (someone) : plague
Rumors dogged him throughout his public life.—
Howard Chua-Eoan
—often used in the passive with byHoward Chua-Eoan Their star pitcher has been dogged by injuries.The project has been dogged by controversy.
c
: to bother or pester (someone) persistently : hound
Reporters dogged her for information.
2
: to fasten (something) with a dog (see dog entry 1 sense 3a)
dogged down the hatch
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Noun
That dog barks all day long.
children playing with the family dog
wild dogs such as the Australian dingo
Her latest book turned out to be a real dog.
That was a dog of a movie.
Verb
He dogged her every move.
Creditors dogged him until he finally paid his bills.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebAnn Hornaday, Washington Post, 29 May 2023
With his 8-year-old dog Maverick— Maeve for short — curled up under the table at his feet, Taylor Wood opened a small blue bag and dumped out a sample of dope.
—Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2023
Young children jostled around the throngs of athletes; a few people brought their dogs.
—John Hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, 27 May 2023
This wasn’t the family’s first time adopting a dog from afar.
—Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2023
There’s a bunch of research showing that interacting with dogs and cats is good for both improved mood and stress relief.
—Lisa Bain, Good Housekeeping, 26 May 2023
Simple everyday errands - such as a trip to the dog groomer or a visit to the doctor - generate uncertainty.
—Andrea Salcedo, Luz Lazo And Lee Powell, Anchorage Daily News, 26 May 2023
This year there was a superbloom, [and] my two dogs got lost in all the flowers!
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2023
During the journey to the hospital, Molly welcomed two more puppies, but the mother dog wasn't done yet.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 25 May 2023
Tim Neville, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2020
For single- or multi-dog households, or simply to test a new brand, the five bag sizes provide plenty of alternatives.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2022
State records show dog handler applications were submitted under ISS for dozens of guards.
—Joe Mahr, chicagotribune.com, 1 Aug. 2019
Dog beds: Hemp Vintage Stripe Envelope in Black; harrybarker.com.
—Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2013
For entertainment, there will be dog races, a police K-9 demonstration, dogs splashing into water and Repticon, a showing of exotic pets, consisting of reptiles, insects and amphibians.
—Louis Casiano Jr., Orange County Register, 28 Apr. 2017
Lauren Mcgaughy, Dallas News, 27 May 2023
For years, the VA has been dogged by reports of lengthy wait times and lackluster service.
—Ryan King, Washington Examiner, 24 May 2023
Among the many issues that Hahn said could dog the project are the noise and air pollution created by the traffic that could impact more heavily on residents in the Wilmington neighborhood once the bridge work begins.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2023
Preceding the election, key political opponents were already imprisoned or dogged by the threat of prosecution on spurious cases.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 16 May 2023
Directed by: John Crowley Written by: Charlie Brooker Starring: Aaron Paul, Josh Hartnett, Kate Mara, Auden Thornton, Rory Culkin Mazey Day A troubled starlet is dogged by invasive paparazzi while dealing with the consequences of a hit-and-run incident.
—Mckinley Franklin, Variety, 11 May 2023
The congressman was elected to represent New York's 3rd Congressional District last November and has spent the months since then dogged by questions about his education and professional experience, as well as his finances and campaign spending.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 10 May 2023
Synthesizing dogged business reporting with a clear sense of how right-wing talk radio has fundamentally reshaped the Republican Party, Thornton and Rogers have produced a remarkable, vital, and unparalleled document that outlines the uneasy conflict over truth in American civic life.
—Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 9 May 2023
Questions have dogged her campaign: What are her credentials besides her family name?
—Muktita Suhartono, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2023
See More
Noun
Reality’s dog and cat become absurdly comic supporting players in a Kafkaesque chamber piece whose dialogue is taken entirely from transcripts of the ensuing interrogation.
—Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 29 May 2023
With his 8-year-old dog Maverick— Maeve for short — curled up under the table at his feet, Taylor Wood opened a small blue bag and dumped out a sample of dope.
—Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2023
Young children jostled around the throngs of athletes; a few people brought their dogs.
—John Hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, 27 May 2023
This wasn’t the family’s first time adopting a dog from afar.
—Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2023
There’s a bunch of research showing that interacting with dogs and cats is good for both improved mood and stress relief.
—Lisa Bain, Good Housekeeping, 26 May 2023
Simple everyday errands - such as a trip to the dog groomer or a visit to the doctor - generate uncertainty.
—Andrea Salcedo, Luz Lazo And Lee Powell, Anchorage Daily News, 26 May 2023
This year there was a superbloom, [and] my two dogs got lost in all the flowers!
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2023
During the journey to the hospital, Molly welcomed two more puppies, but the mother dog wasn't done yet.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 25 May 2023
Adjective
My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.
—Tim Neville, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2020
For single- or multi-dog households, or simply to test a new brand, the five bag sizes provide plenty of alternatives.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2022
State records show dog handler applications were submitted under ISS for dozens of guards.
—Joe Mahr, chicagotribune.com, 1 Aug. 2019
Dog beds: Hemp Vintage Stripe Envelope in Black; harrybarker.com.
—Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2013
For entertainment, there will be dog races, a police K-9 demonstration, dogs splashing into water and Repticon, a showing of exotic pets, consisting of reptiles, insects and amphibians.
—Louis Casiano Jr., Orange County Register, 28 Apr. 2017
Verb
He’s also been dogged by various allegations of bribery, fraud and other misdeeds.
—Lauren Mcgaughy, Dallas News, 27 May 2023
For years, the VA has been dogged by reports of lengthy wait times and lackluster service.
—Ryan King, Washington Examiner, 24 May 2023
Among the many issues that Hahn said could dog the project are the noise and air pollution created by the traffic that could impact more heavily on residents in the Wilmington neighborhood once the bridge work begins.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2023
Preceding the election, key political opponents were already imprisoned or dogged by the threat of prosecution on spurious cases.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 16 May 2023
Directed by: John Crowley Written by: Charlie Brooker Starring: Aaron Paul, Josh Hartnett, Kate Mara, Auden Thornton, Rory Culkin Mazey Day A troubled starlet is dogged by invasive paparazzi while dealing with the consequences of a hit-and-run incident.
—Mckinley Franklin, Variety, 11 May 2023
The congressman was elected to represent New York's 3rd Congressional District last November and has spent the months since then dogged by questions about his education and professional experience, as well as his finances and campaign spending.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 10 May 2023
Synthesizing dogged business reporting with a clear sense of how right-wing talk radio has fundamentally reshaped the Republican Party, Thornton and Rogers have produced a remarkable, vital, and unparalleled document that outlines the uneasy conflict over truth in American civic life.
—Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 9 May 2023
Questions have dogged her campaign: What are her credentials besides her family name?
—Muktita Suhartono, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dog.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Old English docga
Adjective
from attributive use of dog entry 1
Verb
derivative of dog entry 1
Adverb
derivative of dog entry 1
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1519, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adverb
1526, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of dog was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing dog
Dictionary Entries Near dog
Cite this Entry
“Dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dog. Accessed 8 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
dog
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a domestic mammal that eats meat and is closely related to the gray wolf
b
: any animal of the family to which the dog belongs
c
: a male dog
2
a
: a worthless person
b
: person sense 1
you lucky dog
3
a
: any of various devices for holding, gripping, or fastening that consist of a spike, rod, or bar
b
: andiron
4
: a show of being stylish or rich
put on the dog
5
plural
: feet
dog
2 of 2 verb
dogged; dogging
: to hunt, track, or follow like a hound
Medical Definition
dog
nounoften attributive
: a highly variable carnivorous domesticated mammal of the genus Canis (C. familiaris) closely related to the common wolf (Canis lupus)
broadly
: any member of the family Canidae
More from Merriam-Webster on dog
Nglish: Translation of dog for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of dog for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dog
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