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

The pups are now receiving around-the-clock care and were placed in an incubator after their body temperatures were dangerously low, Outcast said on social media. —Joe Brandt, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025

From Santa Paws to fluffy elves, the pups stole the show, filling the streets with holiday flair and plenty of smiles. —Ronnie Li, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025

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

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)