cub

noun

ˈkəb How to pronounce cub (audio)
Synonyms of cubnext
1
a
: a young carnivorous mammal (such as a bear, fox, or lion)
b
: a young shark
2
: a young person
3
: apprentice
especially : an inexperienced newspaper reporter

Synonyms of cub

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Examples of cub in a Sentence

the kind of big story that can propel a cub reporter into the stratosphere of the newspaper world assigned to teach a bunch of young cubs how to play baseball
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.
The Denver encounter also came just days after a mother bear and cub wandered into the city's Harvey Park neighborhood. — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Now about 5½ months old, Crimson is thriving on three legs, quickly returning to playful, curious cub behavior as the Oakland Zoo expands its track record of rescuing orphaned mountain lions. — Jasmine Mendez follow, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 The bear did not show signs of nursing and there were no cubs in the area, CPW said. — Katie Langford, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2026 Time, at 3 am, to watch a mother polar bear and her two cubs feeding beneath a sun that refuses to set. — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cub

Word History

Etymology

probably akin to Middle English cobbe leader of a group, head — more at cob

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of cub was in 1530

Phrases Containing cub

Rhymes for cub

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Browse Nearby Words

Cuautitlan Izcalli
cub
Cuba
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Cite this Entry

“Cub.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cub. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cub

noun
ˈkəb How to pronounce cub (audio)
1
a
: a young flesh-eating mammal (as a bear, fox, or lion)
b
: a young shark
2
: a young person
3
: a person just learning a job : apprentice
a cub reporter
a cub pilot
4
: cub scout
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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