petting zoo

noun

: a collection of farm animals or gentle exotic animals for children to pet and feed

Examples of petting zoo 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.
Three baby goats at a North Carolina petting zoo tested positive for rabies, sparking a statewide search for people who interacted with the animals. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026 The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services confirmed multiple rabies cases in baby goats associated with Farm Adventures mobile petting zoo, a business based in Iredell County that hosts events in the surrounding area. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 Love's petting zoo has been put on quarantine, health officials said. — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 Multiple baby goats at a North Carolina mobile petting zoo had rabies and may have been in direct contact with people at events while infectious, state health officials said Friday. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for petting zoo

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of petting zoo was in 1965

Rhymes for petting zoo

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Browse Nearby Words

pettiness
petting zoo
pettish
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Cite this Entry

“Petting zoo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petting%20zoo. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

petting zoo

noun
: a collection of farm animals or gentle exotic animals for children to pet and feed
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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