puppy

noun

pup·​py ˈpə-pē 

plural puppies

1

: a young domestic dog

specifically : one less than a year old

2

: baby sense 4

a computer that is one fast puppy

puppyhood

ˈpə-pē-ˌhu̇d 

noun

puppyish

ˈpə-pē-ish 

adjective

puppylike

ˈpə-pē-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of puppy in a Sentence

Our dog just had four puppies.

Recent Examples on the Web

Both properties — the rubble pile and Pryor’s home, alive with puppies and chickens — are on the list of houses for which Adak Eagle received subsidies to connect to the internet. — Kyle Hopkins, ProPublica, 20 July 2026

Light, owner of SnowDen Samoyeds, said some of her puppy buyers were the first to tell her that Kelce and Swift appear to have chosen a Samoyed. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026

Tank also follows in the paw prints of another beloved Ladder 20 Dalmatian, Twenty, who was gifted to the station as a puppy after seven members died during the response to the 9/11 attacks. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 15 July 2026

The risk is higher for pets, in particular young puppies and immunocompromised animals, according to PetMD. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English popi, from Middle French poupée doll, toy, from *poupe

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing puppy

• foster dog/cat/puppy/kitten
• hush puppy
• mud puppy
• one sick puppy
• one tired puppy
• puppy dog
• puppy fat
• puppy love
• puppy mill

Rhymes for puppy

• guppy
• yuppie

Kids Definition

puppy

noun

pup·​py ˈpəp-ē 

plural puppies

: a young domestic dog

especially : one less than a year old