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
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
How would a baby fit into a sublet that doesn’t even allow pets?
—Daisy Jones, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2024
Will Stone, NPR, 30 Dec. 2024
Will fans finally meet a chick? L.A. County health officials warn pet owners to avoid raw cat food after a feline dies of bird flu.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
Charna Flam, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
On their second day, some stray dogs were taken outside for 45 minutes to play, get groomed and petted and get practice with basic commands.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pet 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
What's Delta Dog Policy Passengers traveling with pets must meet a long list of requirements as laid out by Delta Airlines on their official website.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
How would a baby fit into a sublet that doesn’t even allow pets?
—Daisy Jones, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
In Oregon, a house cat died after consuming raw pet food, riddled with the virus, which prompted a nationwide recall.
—Will Stone, NPR, 30 Dec. 2024
Will fans finally meet a chick? L.A. County health officials warn pet owners to avoid raw cat food after a feline dies of bird flu.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
Verb
The photo captures Grace with her father, Chandler Powell, petting the giant reptile together at the Australia Zoo.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
On their second day, some stray dogs were taken outside for 45 minutes to play, get groomed and petted and get practice with basic commands.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 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 3 Jan. 2025.
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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