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

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
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.
Thompson said mother bears may expand their range while teaching cubs where to look for food while older, juvenile bears — those between the ages of 18 and 30 months — will leave their mother’s home range and travel in search of a new place to settle down. Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2025 The cub was initially treated at Serrano Animal and Bird Hospital in Orange County, before being transferred to the humane society for his long-term rehab. Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025 The post, which captured the fox cub running around the green space with the dog's toys in their mouth, has delighted viewers online, amassing more than 122,000 views to date. Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025 Those visuals included a mother wolf and her cubs, a mermaid floating underwater and CGI-Shakira crying a teardrop that turned into a shower of diamonds. Olivia Petty, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for cub

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cub was in 1530

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cub.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cub. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

cub

noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on cub

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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