bloodhound
Americannoun
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one of a breed of medium- to large-sized dogs, usually having a black-and-tan coat, very long ears, loose skin, and an acute sense of smell: used chiefly for following human scents.
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a person who is a steadfast pursuer.
noun
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a large breed of hound having a smooth glossy coat of red, tan, or black and loose wrinkled skin on its head: formerly much used in tracking and police work
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informal a detective
Etymology
Origin of bloodhound
First recorded in 1300–50, bloodhound is from the Middle English word blod-hound. See blood, hound 1
Explanation
Originating in Europe, the bloodhound is a large dog with a powerful sense of smell. Detectives and police officers may use a bloodhound when looking for a missing person or a criminal on the run. A bloodhound's powerful nose helps it follow scents and trails that are days old. Its long ears and wrinkled skin enhance its tracking abilities: With its nose to the ground, a bloodhound's ears drag along the terrain, stirring up and funneling particles to the dog's nostrils. And the wrinkly folds of a bloodhound's skin function as particle traps that keep the scents close at hand as the dog moves. In addition to being invaluable to police and search-and-rescue teams, bloodhounds are cherished pets due to their gentle and loyal nature.
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.
Bruno, a seven-year-old bloodhound, had been hailed as a hero for finding nine missing people during his career, and was once honoured by Italy's prime minister.
From BBC • Jul. 7, 2025
“But I think the exciting part about this is that it’s kind of busting a myth, that there’s this thing called the bloodhound that … has this sort of supernatural sense of smell.”
From Science Magazine • Apr. 26, 2024
The Riverside Police Department assisted the Ontario Police Department with their search, bringing in helicopters and a bloodhound, but weren’t able to find the man.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2023
Winston, however, came within a whisker of the trophy last year, taking runner-up to the first bloodhound ever to win.
From Seattle Times • May 7, 2023
Scythe Bello launched into pursuit like a bloodhound, heading down the snowy hillside, disappearing into the trees.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
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.
