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 of cub

• 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

Welcoming the new cub to the zoo is being hailed as a major victory for the Association of Zoos & Aquarium's Lion Species Survival Plan, which is a nationwide effort to ensure genetic diversity among animals in human care. —Patrick Damp, CBS News, 19 May 2026

However, the country maintains ownership of the pandas, including over any cubs born during their time abroad. —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 15 May 2026

Wildlife photographer Robert Martinez documented three cubs following their mom through the forest in late April. —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026

In the spring, mother bears emerge from their dens with their cubs in search of food. —Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026

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