1
a
: a pampered and usually spoiled child
b
: a person who is treated with unusual kindness or consideration : darling
2
: a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility
1
: kept or treated as a pet
2
: expressing fondness or endearment
a pet name
3
: favorite
a pet project
petted; petting
1
a
: to treat as a pet
b
: to stroke in a gentle or loving manner
2
: to treat with unusual kindness and consideration : pamper
: to engage in amorous embracing, caressing, and kissing : neck
petter
noun
: a fit of peevishness, sulkiness, or anger
—usually used in the phrase in a pet
resigned in a pet
petroleum
Peter
positron-emission tomography
Synonyms
Examples of pet in a Sentence
Noun (1)
the teacher's pet was always getting special privileges
Adjective
The mayor's pet project has been the construction of a new high school.
spent my free time on my pet project
Verb (1)
a cat who loves to be petted
Noun (2)
the teenager stalked off in a pet after being refused permission to go the movies
Recent Examples on the Web
Christine Clarridge, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024
There’s also thoughtfully designed furniture that’s made for the pet’s comfort but still looks stylish (like a woven wall hammock).
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2024
CBS News, 4 Nov. 2024
After deputies took her pet goat to be butchered, girl wins $300,000 from Shasta County.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2024
Knutson Farms Sumner Cow train rides, an animal barn with a petting area, apple cannons and jumping pads are among the family-friendly highlights at Knutson Farms.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pet 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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about these examples.
Noun
Public health experts are advising people to avoid contact with sick animals and to keep their pets at a safe distance as well.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024
There’s also thoughtfully designed furniture that’s made for the pet’s comfort but still looks stylish (like a woven wall hammock).
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Clark County Ohio Government Website via AP Clark County has been in the spotlight since Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump amplified false claims that Haitian immigrants in Springfield were eating people's pet dogs and cats.
—CBS News, 4 Nov. 2024
After deputies took her pet goat to be butchered, girl wins $300,000 from Shasta County.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
Verb
It’s got all the crowd-pleasing smoothness and refinement of a Whiskey Sour but with a prickly texture—if a Whiskey Sour is like petting a dog, a Rattlesnake is like petting a horse.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2024
Knutson Farms Sumner Cow train rides, an animal barn with a petting area, apple cannons and jumping pads are among the family-friendly highlights at Knutson Farms.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pet
Dictionary Entries Near pet
Cite this Entry
“Pet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pet. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pet
1 of 4 noun1
: someone given special treatment or consideration
teacher's pet
2
: a tame animal kept for pleasure rather than for use
pet
2 of 4 adjective1
: kept or treated as a pet
a pet rabbit
2
: showing fondness
a pet name
3
: favorite entry 2
my pet project
pet
4 of 4 noun
: a spell of sulkiness or anger
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