Lhasa apso

noun

Lha·​sa ap·​so ˈlä-sə-ˈäp-(ˌ)sō How to pronounce Lhasa apso (audio) ˈla-sə-ˈap- How to pronounce Lhasa apso (audio)
variants often Lhasa Apso
plural Lhasa apsos
: any of a Tibetan breed of small dogs that have a dense coat of long hard straight hair, a heavy fall over the eyes, heavy whiskers and beard, and a well-feathered tail curled over the back

called also Lhasa

Illustration of Lhasa apso

Illustration of lhasa apso

Examples of Lhasa apso 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.
Finally, there’s George, the baby who brings to the table marital and employment problems, along with a Lhasa apso named Libby. — Jen Doll, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025 Other finalists included a giant schnauzer, a Clumber spaniel, a Lhasa apso, a Berger Picard and an Ibizan hound. — Simmone Shah, TIME, 29 Nov. 2024 Finalists includes an Afghan hound named Zaida, a Lhasa apso called JJ, a Maltese named Cookie and an old English sheepdog dubbed Graham. — Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026 Finalists included an Afghan hound named Zaida, a Lhasa apso called JJ, a Maltese named Cookie and an old English sheepdog dubbed Graham. — CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for Lhasa apso

Word History

Etymology

Lhasa, Tibet + Tibetan (Lhasa dialect) ə̄bsɔɔ̀ (written Tibetan absog) small hairy dog, Lhasa apso

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Lhasa apso was in 1935

Browse Nearby Words

Lhasa
Lhasa apso
LHB
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Cite this Entry

“Lhasa apso.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Lhasa%20apso. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on Lhasa apso

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Lhasa apso

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