mastiff
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of mastiff
1300–50; Middle English mastif, perhaps extracted from Anglo-French masti ( n ) s (taken as *mastifs ), plural of Old French mastin < Vulgar Latin ( canis ) *ma ( n ) suētīnus, derivative of Latin mansuētus tame, mild ( see mansuetude)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A Tibetan mastiff called Viking, a Pembroke Welsh corgi named Hazel, and miniature schnauzer Spencer were among the six other pooches trying not to look too glum after missing out on the top prize.
From BBC ● Mar. 8, 2026
Some large guardian dogs showed high wolf ancestry, while others, including the Neapolitan mastiff, bullmastiff, and St. Bernard, showed none.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 29, 2025
He had adopted a bull mastiff puppy named Nala.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2025
They joked about sending their mastiff to the door next time.
From Salon ● Jun. 8, 2025
Mr. Maddox and Bunny the giant mastiff accompanied us back across the field.
From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
