pup

1 of 2

noun

1
: a young dog
also : one of the young of various animals (such as a seal or rat)
2

pup

2 of 2

verb

pupped; pupping

intransitive verb

: to give birth to pups

Examples of pup in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Under the care of the BC SPCA, the pup gained about 4 lbs. Angel Saunders, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024 If your pup insists on pulling the leash, don't pull them; instead, stop walking and redirect by reversing and calling them back to you. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
Their pupping sites in the shallower northeastern Caspian Sea are shifting and disappearing, as the animals also struggle against pollution and overfishing. Laura Paddison, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024 Sightings stretch back to the early 2000s, but the creatures started pupping — having babies — around Point La Jolla roughly a decade ago. Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pup 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

short for puppy

First Known Use

Noun

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1708, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pup was in 1542

Dictionary Entries Near pup

Cite this Entry

“Pup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pup. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

pup

noun
ˈpəp
: puppy
also : one of the young of various animals (as a seal or rat)

More from Merriam-Webster on pup

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!