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
Two months, a bloodhound and pet psychics later, Gabriella Sidhu is still holding out hope to find Mushie.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2025
Mister, a bloodhound who won a merit award in his breed Monday, also puts his breed’s ancient instincts to work.
From Seattle Times ● May 13, 2024
“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
So he’s tracked Lizzie to the Mutton, the old bloodhound.
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
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.
