greyhound

American  

[grey-hound] / ˈgreɪˌhaʊnd /

Or grayhound

noun

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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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

Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie told parliament that the government was confident that greyhound racing "on oval tracks exposes dogs to significant risks that cannot be eliminated by other measures".

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

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

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

The species of crocodylomorph roamed Earth about 215 million years ago during the Triassic period and is believed to have been a fast-moving, land-dwelling predator resembling a "reptilian greyhound".

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

In West Memphis: In legal thriller “The Firm,” characters played by Tom Cruise and Ed Harris meet at a greyhound track, now called Southland Casino Racing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

The white greyhound darted after the great red monk and trotted happily at his heels.

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz