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
Shea Simmons, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025
Cows are intelligent animals that can form very meaningful bonds with their owners, and who can also be trained to live along with other pets.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
No people were exposed to the rabid skunks but many of the pet animals involved had to be destroyed.
—The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 16 Feb. 2025
Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
Other shots captured Vida’s love of animals, with one picture showing a young Vida holding a chameleon and another petting a horse.
—Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025
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
Having a pet is a joy, but defending your home against stray hair is not.
—Shea Simmons, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025
Cows are intelligent animals that can form very meaningful bonds with their owners, and who can also be trained to live along with other pets.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Not every pet owner will experience this kind of connection—and that's OK.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
No people were exposed to the rabid skunks but many of the pet animals involved had to be destroyed.
—The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 16 Feb. 2025
Verb
Nana shared the couch and gently petted Nia's head.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
Other shots captured Vida’s love of animals, with one picture showing a young Vida holding a chameleon and another petting a horse.
—Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025
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 21 Feb. 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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