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
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
Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 21 Sep. 2025
Those probably arrived as part of a different wave of interest in exotic pets later on.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 21 Sep. 2025
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Though standard filters can capture hair, pleated filters do a better job of filtering pet dander from the air.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2025
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
At another point, Del Toro cited Daniels in relation to pet waste near her building, claiming without proof that Coco or Charlie, the emotional support animals registered to one of Daniels’ sons, were responsible.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pet
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Noun
Traveling with pets can be rewarding, but requires careful planning and consideration for their safety and comfort.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 21 Sep. 2025
Those probably arrived as part of a different wave of interest in exotic pets later on.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The students could not get enough of the interactive pet camera, and every day since, her students have asked to see and check in on her pets.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Though standard filters can capture hair, pleated filters do a better job of filtering pet dander from the air.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
Monte said that, while this whole experience started as a funny skit, people driving around the neighborhood actually did stop to pet the pup and even offered to pay the $1.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
At another point, Del Toro cited Daniels in relation to pet waste near her building, claiming without proof that Coco or Charlie, the emotional support animals registered to one of Daniels’ sons, were responsible.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pet
Cite this Entry
“Pet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pet. Accessed 22 Sep. 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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