Pekingese

American  

[pee-kuh-neez, -nees, pee-king-eez, -ees] / ˌpi kəˈniz, -ˈnis, ˌpi kɪŋˈiz, -ˈis /

Also Pekinese

noun

1. one of a Chinese breed of small dogs having a long, silky coat.

2. the standard Chinese language.

3. the dialect of Peking.

4. a native or inhabitant of Peking.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Peking.

Pekingese British  

/ ˌpiːkəˈniːz, ˌpiːkɪŋˈiːz /

noun

1. a small breed of pet dog with a profuse straight coat, curled plumed tail, and short wrinkled muzzle

2. the dialect of Mandarin Chinese spoken in Beijing (formerly Peking), the pronunciation of which serves as a standard for the language

3. a native or inhabitant of Beijing (formerly Peking)

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adjective

1. of or relating to Beijing (formerly Peking) or its inhabitants

Etymology

Origin of Pekingese

First recorded in 1840–50; Peking + -ese

Example Sentences

When I was growing up, my first memories as a little girl were. . . there was a Pekingese that I used to tease relentlessly, and she used to bite me.

From Salon • Sep. 28, 2024

Roxie, a Pekingese, beat out the competition in the toy group to advance to the final stage:

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2023

Natalia's kitchen is full of home-made Christmas decorations, and an 11-year-old Pekingese Businka is at her feet.

From BBC • Dec. 22, 2022

"She's been with me for two years," Pinto said, hugging the fluffy animal with the pink collar - a mix of Pekingese and toy poodle - within view of El Paso, Texas.

From Reuters • Sep. 12, 2022

Mary Nell has the look of a blond lapdog, the Pekingese kind with tiny feet and a nose that perks on the end.

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett