cocker spaniel

noun

cock·​er spaniel ˈkä-kər- How to pronounce cocker spaniel (audio)
1
: english cocker spaniel
2
: any of a breed of spaniels developed in the U.S. from the English cocker spaniel that are smaller in size and have a shorter muzzle and longer thicker coat

Examples of cocker spaniel in a Sentence

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This realization has helped lead to the creation of a bench with life-size statues of 19th century author Robert Louis Stevenson, his wife Fanny Stevenson and their Irish setter cocker spaniel ChuChu. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 18 Oct. 2026 While there was some truth in Veach being unrelenting, Reid still has appreciated his convictions and approach going back at least to Jackson — from whom the Veach family in Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, named a cocker spaniel (Jackson). — Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026 Nidhi’s neighbor Payal had a cocker spaniel named Lucy, who regularly dripped spots of blood onto the driveway. — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026 The Prince and Princess of Wales welcomed their English cocker spaniel, Lupo, in 2011. — Audrey Schmidt, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cocker spaniel

Word History

Etymology

cocking woodcock hunting

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cocker spaniel was in 1829

Rhymes for cocker spaniel

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Browse Nearby Words

cockernony
cocker spaniel
cocket
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Cite this Entry

“Cocker spaniel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cocker%20spaniel. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cocker spaniel

noun
cock·​er spaniel ˌkäk-ər- How to pronounce cocker spaniel (audio)
: any of a breed of small spaniels with long drooping ears and long silky coat

More from Merriam-Webster on cocker spaniel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cocker spaniel

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