Illustration of terrier
: any of various usually small energetic dogs originally used by hunters to dig for small game and engage the quarry underground or drive it out
Examples of terrier in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) gained custody of Stella and another dog — a female terrier mix named Bella — from Bradford Thomas, who was arrested and charged with animal cruelty on suspicion of neglecting to care for them on May 27, according to a news release.
—
Bailey Richards, People.com, 2 June 2025
Wire-haired dogs, like schnauzers and terriers, are especially likely to land their owners in the podiatrists’ office.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 22 May 2025
Terri, a terrier mix pup with soulful eyes, may come off as shy at first, but that’s for a reason, the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said in a heart wrenching Facebook post.
—Tj MacIas, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
On the other hand, breeds that the AKC says don't really match a cat's energy include terriers; sight-hounds; and members of the herding group.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
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Bailey Richards, People.com, 2 June 2025
Wire-haired dogs, like schnauzers and terriers, are especially likely to land their owners in the podiatrists’ office.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 22 May 2025
Terri, a terrier mix pup with soulful eyes, may come off as shy at first, but that’s for a reason, the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said in a heart wrenching Facebook post.
—Tj MacIas, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
On the other hand, breeds that the AKC says don't really match a cat's energy include terriers; sight-hounds; and members of the herding group.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrier
Cite this Entry
“Terrier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrier. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
terrier
noun
ter·ri·er
ˈter-ē-ər 
: any of various usually small energetic dogs originally used by hunters to drive game animals from their holes
Etymology
Middle English terryer "a small dog used for hunting burrowing animals," from early French (chen) terrer, literally "earth dog," from terre "earth," derived from Latin terra (same meaning)
Word Origin
Today most terriers are kept as pets. However, there was a time when the dogs were widely used for hunting. Terriers are usually small dogs with short legs, and they were used to dig game animals such as foxes, badgers, and weasels out of their holes. The dogs were also trained to go into a hole after a game animal and drive it out. The French name for these dogs was chen terrer, meaning "earth dog." English borrowed only the word terrier, which can be traced back to Latin terra, meaning "earth."
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