terrier

noun

ter·​ri·​er ˈter-ē-ər How to pronounce terrier (audio)
ˈte-rē-
: 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

Illustration of terrier

Illustration of terrier

Examples of terrier in a Sentence

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.
During one game, on a dark winter afternoon, a Border terrier ran onto the pitch. — Vanda Mayer, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026 While grieving the loss of her beloved Yorkshire terrier, Vegas, in 2019, the idea for the pet ofrenda was born. — Yvonne Villasenor, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026 Harford County Department of Emergency Services Medic 81 transported the terrier from the Joppa station to an emergency veterinarian for treatment, according to the fire company. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2026 Certain dog breeds are more prone to barking, including chihuahuas, terriers and beagles. — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for terrier

Word History

Etymology

Middle English terryer, terrer, from Anglo-French (chen) terrer, literally, earth dog, from terre earth, from Latin terra

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of terrier was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing terrier

Rhymes for terrier

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Browse Nearby Words

terricolous
terrier
terrific
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Cite this Entry

“Terrier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrier. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

terrier

noun
ter·​ri·​er ˈter-ē-ər How to pronounce terrier (audio)
: any of various usually small energetic dogs originally used by hunters to drive game animals from their holes
Etymology

Middle English terryer "a small dog used for hunting burrowing animals," from early French (chen) terrer, literally "earth dog," from terre "earth," derived from Latin terra (same meaning)

Word Origin
Today most terriers are kept as pets. However, there was a time when the dogs were widely used for hunting. Terriers are usually small dogs with short legs, and they were used to dig game animals such as foxes, badgers, and weasels out of their holes. The dogs were also trained to go into a hole after a game animal and drive it out. The French name for these dogs was chen terrer, meaning "earth dog." English borrowed only the word terrier, which can be traced back to Latin terra, meaning "earth."

More from Merriam-Webster on terrier

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about terrier

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