pit bull

American  

[pit bool] / ˈpɪt ˌbʊl /

Informal, pittie or pitbull

noun

1. a stocky, muscular dog with a broad skull and a smooth coat, belonging to an informal category of purebred and mixed-breed dogs that includes the American Staffordshire terrier, the Staffordshire bull terrier, and sometimes the American bulldog or boxer.

2. Also called American pit bull terrier.  American Staffordshire terrier.

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Etymology

Origin of pit bull

First recorded in 1925–30; pit ¹ ( def. ) (in the sense “enclosure for staging animal fights”) + bull(dog) ( def. )

Example Sentences

In the video, a gray pit bull named Valerio stood on a woman’s lap, furiously wagging his tail as he accepted her caresses.

From Los Angeles Times

The woman’s son adopted the pit bull, named O’Gee, in 2020 from a city shelter, not knowing he had bitten a jogger in both arms, according to the woman’s lawsuit.

From Los Angeles Times

The lawyer tasked with defending ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro earned a nickname early in his career: Pit Bull.

From The Wall Street Journal

Firm associates gave Pollack the “pit bull” nickname for his persistence with cases.

From The Wall Street Journal

“A little alliteration was probably involved as well—‘Pit Bull Pollack,’” said Stephen Braga, who worked with Pollack at the Miller, Cassidy firm.

From The Wall Street Journal