griffon

¹ American  

[grif-uhn] / ˈgrɪf ən /

noun

1. a vulture of the genus Gyps, especially G. fulvus, of southern Europe.

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griffon ² American  

[grif-uhn] / ˈgrɪf ən /

noun

1. any of several varieties of the Brussels griffon differing from each other in coloration or in the texture of the coat.

2. Also called wirehaired pointing griffon.  one of a Dutch breed of medium-sized dogs having a coarse, steel-gray or grayish-white coat with chestnut markings, used for pointing and retrieving birds.

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griffon ¹ British  

/ ˈɡrɪfən /

noun

1. any of various small wire-haired breeds of dog, originally from Belgium

2. any large vulture of the genus Gyps, of Africa, S Europe, and SW Asia, having a pale plumage with black wings: family Accipitridae (hawks)

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griffon ² British  

/ ˈɡrɪfən /

noun

1. a variant of griffin 1

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Etymology

Origin of griffon¹

1350–1400; Middle English griffoun < French; griffin ¹

Origin of griffon²

1820–30; < French; akin to griffin ¹

Example Sentences

A weirdo dog lets you “show your individuality,” said Terence Nelson, 38, an influencer marketing strategist in New York whose fuzzy Brussels griffon, Sue, is a dead ringer for an Ewok.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

But a petit basset griffon Vendéen took best in show for the first time last year, as did a bloodhound in 2022.

From Seattle Times • May 10, 2024

Buddy Holly, a petit basset griffon Vendéen, took the top prize at the Westminster Dog Show.

From New York Times • May 10, 2023

Bird species such as barnacle geese, griffon vultures, great white egrets and Dalmatian pelicans are also recovering well.

From BBC • Sep. 27, 2022

Added to all this, Goliath, the miniature Belgian griffon, having probably overeaten himself, had complicated pains inside, and the callous vet. could or would not come round till the evening.

From The Rough Road by Locke, William John