pup

1 of 2

noun

Synonyms of pupnext
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
The accompanying carousel includes a photo of the pup sporting a festive red-and-green floral bow. Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026 What alerted them to her location wasn’t footprints or a cell phone ping, however, but rather the sounds of her steadfast pup, Cami. Outside, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
Like so many dogs, Tuzi deals with itchy skin, and Shields swears by Prospect Pet’s Skin & Coat Health Booster to give her pup some relief. Madison Yauger, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025 In June 2021, the Seal Society and Sierra Club San Diego called on Mayor Todd Gloria to declare an emergency and temporarily close Point La Jolla — adjacent to La Jolla Cove — to the public during sea lion pupping season while keeping the viewing area from an adjacent wall open. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Nov. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pup. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.

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
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