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
Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024
Made specifically for animal hair and other pet messes, this Dyson is easy to move around, has a brush made to detangle hair, and whole-machine filtration.
—Will Porter, Architectural Digest, 29 Nov. 2024
Isabel Garcia, People.com, 30 Nov. 2024
There are some seriously good floor care deals from Roomba and Dyson—the V12 Detect Slim Vacuum won a Healthy Home Award this year and is a longtime SELF Fave for its ability to tackle untold amounts of pet hair.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 29 Nov. 2024
Elizabeth Carlen, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
Of course Buster turns out to have been abused, and bonds deeply with me, but barks and flees whenever Lily comes home, and hides whenever Ione tries to pet him.
—Charles Bock, People.com, 6 Oct. 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
Known for their natural ingredients and delicious flavors, Native Pet's range of treats and supplements are a hit with pets of all shapes and sizes.
—Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024
Made specifically for animal hair and other pet messes, this Dyson is easy to move around, has a brush made to detangle hair, and whole-machine filtration.
—Will Porter, Architectural Digest, 29 Nov. 2024
Adjective
For quick messes around the home and car, snap up this Black and Decker handheld vacuum that sucks up pet hair, dirt, dust, and debris.
—Isabel Garcia, People.com, 30 Nov. 2024
There are some seriously good floor care deals from Roomba and Dyson—the V12 Detect Slim Vacuum won a Healthy Home Award this year and is a longtime SELF Fave for its ability to tackle untold amounts of pet hair.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 29 Nov. 2024
Verb
Muster the courage to walk past it, or even crouch down to pet it?
—Elizabeth Carlen, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
Of course Buster turns out to have been abused, and bonds deeply with me, but barks and flees whenever Lily comes home, and hides whenever Ione tries to pet him.
—Charles Bock, People.com, 6 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 4 Dec. 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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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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