greyhound
Americannoun
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one of a breed of tall, slender, short-haired dogs, noted for its keen sight and swiftness.
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a swift ship, especially a fast ocean liner.
noun
Etymology
Origin of greyhound
before 1000; Middle English greihund, grehund, grihund, Old English grīghund < Old Norse greyhundr; compare Old Norse grey bitch; see hound 1
Compare meaning
How does greyhound compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
A greyhound is a long-legged, elegant dog that's known for its speed. Historians believe greyhounds are one of the oldest dog breeds. Dogs resembling greyhounds decorate many ancient Egyptian tombs and Neolithic settlement walls, suggesting that this sleek, muscular dog has been around for thousands of years. In the 20th century, greyhounds were commonly bred for racing — they can run steadily at speeds over 40 miles per hour. Retired racing greyhounds also make sweet companions, and as the sport has declined in the U.S., more and more greyhounds have lived their whole lives as coddled pets. Interestingly, the grey part of the word is of disputed origin, but it does not refer to the dogs' color — as most greyhounds are not gray.
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.
There were once more than 20 greyhound racing tracks in Scotland, with thousands of spectators filling stadiums across the country during its heyday in the early 20th century.
From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026
Under the legislation the earliest greyhound racing would be banned is April 2027 and the latest April 2030.
From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026
The species of crocodylomorph roamed Earth about 215 million years ago during the Triassic period and is believed to have been a fast-moving, land-dwelling predator resembling a "reptilian greyhound".
From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026
In West Memphis: In legal thriller “The Firm,” characters played by Tom Cruise and Ed Harris meet at a greyhound track, now called Southland Casino Racing.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026
Michael fought off the children, picked up the greyhound that was bigger than himself and told Mam the dog could have his supper.
From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt
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.
