sniffer

noun

sniff·​er ˈsni-fər How to pronounce sniffer (audio)
1
: one that sniffs: such as
a
: someone who sniffs a drug or other substance in order to become intoxicated
a cocaine/glue sniffer
b
or less commonly sniffer dog : a dog that is trained to recognize and follow scents especially for the purpose of locating people or contraband (such as illicit drugs and explosives)
2
informal : nose
Use your sniffer to detect unattractive or unhealthy odors.Susan DeBow

Examples of sniffer in a Sentence

Sniffers were brought in to search bags at the airport.
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.
Mounted officers and sniffer dogs patrolled the streets near Windsor and Eton Central railway station, monitoring arrivals and maintaining security around the historic town. Amanda Castro hannah Parry shane Croucher jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025 Security was reinforced on the streets of the capital with extra contingents of the military and judicial police, sniffer dogs, and intelligence officers. Adriana Carranca, Time, 12 Sep. 2025 Already guaranteed to have a heightened presence after Charlie Kirk's assassination, security was boosted throughout the ballpark with the Secret Service and sniffer dogs outside the gates. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025 Local police told public broadcaster NRK that drones and sniffer dogs were being used in the search along with volunteers. David Matthews, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sniffer

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sniffer was in 1864

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Cite this Entry

“Sniffer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sniffer. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

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