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• terrier
  terrier

  noun

  any of several breeds of usually small dogs, used originally to pursue game and drive it out of its hole or burrow.
• Terrier
  Terrier

  noun

  a member of the British Army's Territorial and Volunteer Reserve

terrier

¹ American  

[ter-ee-er] / ˈtɛr i ər /

noun

1. any of several breeds of usually small dogs, used originally to pursue game and drive it out of its hole or burrow.

2. (initial capital letter) a surface-to-air, two-stage antiaircraft missile.

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terrier ² American  

[ter-ee-er] / ˈtɛr i ər /

noun

Law.

1. a book or document in which are described the site, boundaries, acreage, tenants, etc., of certain lands.

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Terrier ¹ British  

/ ˈtɛrɪə /

noun

1. informal a member of the British Army's Territorial and Volunteer Reserve

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terrier ² British  

/ ˈtɛrɪə /

noun

1. any of several usually small, active, and short-bodied breeds of dog, originally trained to hunt animals living underground

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terrier ³ British  

/ ˈtɛrɪə /

noun

1. English legal history a register or survey of land

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Etymology

Origin of terrier¹

1400–50; < Middle French, short for chien terrier literally, dog of the earth (< Medieval Latin terrārius; see terra, -ier ²); so called because used to start badgers from their burrows; replacing late Middle English terrere < Anglo-French ( see -er ²)

Origin of terrier²

1470–80; < Middle French, short for registre terrier register of land (< Medieval Latin terrārius; see terra, -ier ²); replacing earlier terrere < Anglo-French ( see -er ²

Explanation

A terrier is a type of dog. Terriers are usually brave, strong, small dogs with wiry coats. In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy's dog Toto is a terrier. Most terriers have short, muscular bodies. There is a lot of variety in the terrier group, though—from fuzzy, 70-pound Airedale terriers to smooth-coated, 25-pound Boston terriers. Terriers were originally bred to hunt small animals like rats and foxes. Terrier comes from the Old French chien terrier, or "earth dog," a reference to the terrier's willingness to follow its prey into underground burrows if necessary.

Example Sentences

At their feet, a regal Airedale terrier named Phoebe lounges, looking as though she belongs in an oil painting.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

Now, that same officer who rescued the 1-year-old terrier mix is bringing him home on Sunday.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 2025

“I don’t know anyone who could contest that she is the strongest rat terrier in the world,” says Quinn.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025

Min, a champion rat terrier, ate green beans leading up to the recent American Pulling Alliance Championship.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025

Doctor Baker pulled the Scotch terrier inside the house.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier