pup

1 of 2

noun

ˈpəp 

1

: a young dog

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

2

: offset sense 2a

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

Noun

Dabas said pups have run as fast as 22 mph, clocking several miles in just one visit. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

For pet parents who could get their pups to sit still for long enough, a portrait artist was doing colorful sketches. — Bridget Byrne, Baltimore Sun, 22 Aug. 2026

Verb

This pup not only got $5,000 richer with the prize, but also won a trip to New York for a live appearance on NBC's Today Show in mid August. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026

Created by Joe Brumm, Bluey centers around an Australian blue heeler pup and her family -- mom Chilli, dad bandit and little sister Bingo. — Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

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

Phrases Containing pup

• buy a pup
• pup tent
• sell a pup

Rhymes for pup

• cup
• sup
• up
• yup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup

Kids Definition

pup

noun

ˈpəp

: puppy

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