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
Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
People die, yes, but so do pets.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
Dog-outfitting is a huge growth target for Dassier, who said coordinating human-and-animal Aigle trenchcoats have already been a hit with their customers in Asia, where pet culture is hugely popular.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2025
Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The petting farm is one of the ways Cornucopia Farm weaves agricultural education into fun activities.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Oct. 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
For the first time, the iconic New York City Halloween dog parade was hosted by New York Dog Parade, a nonprofit dedicated to spreading cheer and helping pets through dog-centric events.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
People die, yes, but so do pets.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
As dust floats through the air, static electricity can attract particles of dirt, pollen, pet dander, and dust that accumulate on the fan blades over time.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
Dog-outfitting is a huge growth target for Dassier, who said coordinating human-and-animal Aigle trenchcoats have already been a hit with their customers in Asia, where pet culture is hugely popular.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
Other big stories ➤ These pets up for adoption in metro Phoenix shelters this week.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The petting farm is one of the ways Cornucopia Farm weaves agricultural education into fun activities.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Oct. 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 21 Oct. 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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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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