Illustration 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
Examples of terrier in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Meet Cobweb, a quirky pit terrier mix who’s always ready for cuddle time or a game of fetch.
—
Trish Stinger, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2025
The women's personal items—cars, purses, keys, cigarettes, and even a Yorkshire terrier named Cinnamon—were left behind.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Dogs such as Chihuahuas and Yorkshire terriers usually live around 15 to 16 years.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Bea, a 2-year-old pit bull, terrier mix, is ready for a new start after she was surrendered to the Humane Society for Hamilton County in Fishers due to her need to be the center of attention.
—Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2025
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Trish Stinger, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2025
The women's personal items—cars, purses, keys, cigarettes, and even a Yorkshire terrier named Cinnamon—were left behind.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Dogs such as Chihuahuas and Yorkshire terriers usually live around 15 to 16 years.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Bea, a 2-year-old pit bull, terrier mix, is ready for a new start after she was surrendered to the Humane Society for Hamilton County in Fishers due to her need to be the center of attention.
—Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrier
Cite this Entry
“Terrier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrier. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
terrier
noun
ter·ri·er
ˈter-ē-ər 
: 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."
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