: any of a breed of very large massive powerful smooth-coated dogs that are apricot, fawn, or brindle and are often used as guard dogs
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Anthony Devlin / Getty Images Miuccia emerged victorious, beating Ana, a Jack Russell terrier; Liza, the miniature schnauzer; Viking, the Tibetan mastiff; Shake, the Australian shepherd; Sophia, the papillon; and Suzie, the cocker spaniel.—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 10 Mar. 2025 Those breeds include the Bernese mountain dog and mastiffs.—Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025 First-round competitor Brina, for instance, is a 158-pound (71.6 kilogram) Neapolitan mastiff.—Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025 Great Danes, bulldogs, mastiffs and most other large-sized dogs usually live about 7 to 9 years, according to a Dogster article, medically reviewed by Dr. Chyrle Bonk.—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mastiff
Word History
Etymology
Middle English mastif, from Medieval Latin mastivus, from Vulgar Latin *masuetivus, from Latin mansuetus tame — more at mansuetude
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