beagle

noun

bea·​gle ˈbē-gəl How to pronounce beagle (audio)
: any of a breed of small short-legged smooth-coated often black, white, and tan hounds

Illustration of beagle

Illustration of beagle

Examples of beagle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His skin reacted to samples from a poodle and goldendoodle, but not from the beagles. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026 Certain dog breeds are more prone to barking, including chihuahuas, terriers and beagles. — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 28 July 2026 Markle also shared a photo of herself sunbathing alongside the family’s senior rescue beagle Mamma Mia. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 23 July 2026 Cohen, 58, then reflected on the impact the beagle-foxhound mix had on his life. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for beagle

Word History

Etymology

Middle English begle

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of beagle was in the 15th century

Rhymes for beagle

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Browse Nearby Words

beady
beagle
Beagle Channel
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Cite this Entry

“Beagle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beagle. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

beagle

noun
bea·​gle ˈbē-gəl How to pronounce beagle (audio)
: any of a breed of small hounds with short legs and smooth coats

More from Merriam-Webster on beagle

Nglish: Translation of beagle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about beagle

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