cub

noun

ˈkəb 

1

a

: a young carnivorous mammal (such as a bear, fox, or lion)

b

: a young shark

2

: a young person

3

: apprentice

especially : an inexperienced newspaper reporter

Synonyms

• novice
• apprentice
• rookie
• beginner
• freshman
• newcomer

Examples of cub in a Sentence

the kind of big story that can propel a cub reporter into the stratosphere of the newspaper world

assigned to teach a bunch of young cubs how to play baseball

Recent Examples on the Web

In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space. —Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025

Extra logs and stepping stones have been added to the habitat to protect the cubs and facilitate their movement in the big space. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025

Grazer, whose cub was killed by her opponent in July 2024, beat 32 Chunk, a male bear weighing more than 1,200 pounds, to become champion. —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025

The brother lions sired several cubs over their long reign at the zoo. —Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably akin to Middle English cobbe leader of a group, head — more at cob

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cub

• cub reporter

Rhymes for cub

• bub
• club
• dub
• grub
• hub
• nub
• pub
• rub
• scrub
• shrub
• snub
• stub

Kids Definition

cub

noun

ˈkəb 

1

a

: a young flesh-eating mammal (as a bear, fox, or lion)

b

: a young shark

2

: a young person

3

: a person just learning a job : apprentice

a cub reporter

a cub pilot

4

: cub scout