# greyhound

/ˈɡɹeɪˌhaʊnd/ (US) · /ɡɹˈeɪhaʊnd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/greyhound
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a breed of dog

noun · CEFR B2

a tall, thin dog with long legs that can run very fast.

For teachers: a breed of tall, slender sighthound characterized by its speed and keen eyesight, traditionally used for hunting and racing.

- The greyhound chased the mechanical rabbit around the racing track.
- Greyhounds are often adopted as pets after their racing careers end because they are surprisingly calm and quiet indoors.

### 2. a long-distance bus

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a bus operated by the Greyhound company, common for long trips in the US and Canada.

For teachers: a long-distance coach operated by Greyhound Lines, Inc. in North America.

- He took a greyhound from New York to Chicago to save money on travel.
- Traveling by greyhound remains a staple of American budget travel, connecting small towns that lack major airports or train stations.

### 4. a fast ship

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

a very fast ship, especially a large one that crosses the ocean.

For teachers: a swift ocean steamer or passenger ship, noted for its speed across long distances.

- The old greyhound of the seas broke the record for the fastest crossing.
- In the early twentieth century, these ocean greyhounds were the primary means of rapid intercontinental post and passenger transport.

### 5. to move fast over water

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

to move or jump quickly across the top of the water.

For teachers: to skim or leap rapidly across the surface of a body of water.

- The small boat greyhounded over the waves as the storm approached.
- The torpedo greyhounded across the choppy surface of the bay, leaving a white wake in its path.

## Examples

- The greyhound ran across the field with incredible speed.
- Many retired greyhounds are adopted as pets because they are surprisingly calm and quiet indoors despite their athletic history.
- The sleek silhouette of the greyhound has been a symbol of nobility and speed in art and literature since the time of the ancient Egyptians.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.