greyhound

American  

[grey-hound] / ˈgreɪˌhaʊnd /

Or grayhound

noun

• greyhounds
  plural

1. one of a breed of tall, slender, short-haired dogs, noted for its keen sight and swiftness.

2. a swift ship, especially a fast ocean liner.

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greyhound British  

/ ˈɡreɪˌhaʊnd /

noun

1. a tall slender fast-moving dog of an ancient breed originally used for coursing

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• greyhounds
  plural

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:

• Saluki vs. greyhound

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

See Examples For:

greyhound greyhounds

Its velvet binding has metal corner guards bearing her crowned falcon with a lion rampant, dragon and greyhound, and Anne’s motifs recur in the illuminations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026

A greyhound who hates running around a track will instead be pursuing the American dream.

From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026

He predicted that with his track shut, greyhound racing would die out in Scotland.

From BBC ● Mar. 18, 2026

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

A greyhound, as white as ivory, couching on its hocks and elbows, its tail curved into the bony sickle of the greyhound, watched the old man with the doe-soft eyes of pity.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Australian authorities say that greyhounds arriving from New Zealand are classed as "companion animals" which will undergo screening for diseases such as rabies.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

"In an attempt to solve the rehoming crisis, the racing industry had devised a program of sending retired greyhounds to the US and Canada," Field said.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

It was first synthesized from thymosin β4 in 2003 and has since been used to help horses and greyhounds improve racing performance.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026

It added: "His colour, age and a common misperception that greyhounds need lots of exercise, were all factors that prevented Bobby finding his forever home - plus an unwillingness to share his toys."

From BBC ● Jan. 3, 2026

Every night ten greyhounds that belonged to the Frenchman across the street wailed as if the world were coming to an end.

From "Homesick" by Jean Fritz