puppy

1 of 2

noun (1)

pup·​py ˈpə-pē How to pronounce puppy (audio)
plural puppies
Synonyms of puppynext
1
: a young domestic dog
specifically : one less than a year old
2
: baby sense 4
a computer that is one fast puppy
puppyhood
ˈpə-pē-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce puppy (audio)
noun
puppyish
ˈpə-pē-ish How to pronounce puppy (audio)
adjective
puppylike
ˈpə-pē-ˌlīk How to pronounce puppy (audio)
adjective

puppyhood

2 of 2

noun (2)

pup·​py·​hood ˈpəpēˌhu̇d How to pronounce puppyhood (audio)
: the state or period of being a puppy

Examples of puppy in a Sentence

Noun (1) Our dog just had four puppies.
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.
Noun
Kelce’s confirmation comes after fans noticed a framed photo from his and Swift’s wedding showing the couple holding a fluffy white puppy. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 1 Sep. 2026 Which of these adults will have their real estate crimes interrupted by those meddling kids and their puppy? — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026 Social media users have spent the last month meticulously gluing rhinestones to everyday objects, including coffee cups, skincare, phone cases, and even puppies. — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 The puppy was then turned over to Tulare County Animal Services the next morning for care. — Denis Akbari, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for puppy

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English popi, from Middle French poupée doll, toy, from *poupe

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of puppy was in 1567

Phrases Containing puppy

Rhymes for puppy

See All Rhymes for puppy

Browse Nearby Words

Puppis
puppy
puppy dog
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Puppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puppy. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

puppy

noun
pup·​py ˈpəp-ē How to pronounce puppy (audio)
plural puppies
: a young domestic dog
especially : one less than a year old

More from Merriam-Webster on puppy

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for puppy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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