brachycephalic

adjective

brachy·​ce·​phal·​ic ˌbra-ki-sə-ˈfa-lik How to pronounce brachycephalic (audio)
: short-headed or broad-headed with a cephalic index of over 80
brachycephaly
ˌbra-ki-ˈse-fə-lē How to pronounce brachycephalic (audio)
noun

Examples of brachycephalic 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.
Kygo, like many French bulldogs, has always lived with the quirks of being a brachycephalic breed. — Ashley Vega, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025 Also, brachycephalic dogs, very old dogs, and those with heart or pulmonary disease would be more prone to heat sensitivity. — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 29 June 2026 According to the team, this shows that BOAS varies widely amongst brachycephalic breeds. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Feb. 2026 With low energy levels and breathing challenges due to their brachycephalic structure, English bulldogs tend to tire easily. — Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brachycephalic

Word History

Etymology

New Latin brachycephalus, from Greek brachy- + kephalē head — more at cephalic

First Known Use

circa 1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of brachycephalic was circa 1852

Rhymes for brachycephalic

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Browse Nearby Words

brachycephal
brachycephalic
brachycephalid
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Cite this Entry

“Brachycephalic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brachycephalic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

brachycephalic

adjective
brachy·​ce·​phal·​ic ˌbrak-i-sə-ˈfal-ik How to pronounce brachycephalic (audio)
: short-headed or broad-headed with a cephalic index of over 80
brachycephaly
-ˈsef-ə-lē How to pronounce brachycephalic (audio)
noun
plural brachycephalies
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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