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

The entire endeavor hinges on a vanishingly small window — just 48 to 72 hours of fertility per year for females — making every behavioral signal, every hormone spike and every scent mark a data point that could determine whether a new cub enters the world. —Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026

The high survival rate means many cubs can mature and live into adulthood, helping to increase population numbers over time. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026

Others praised troopers for stepping in to help, applauding authorities for rescuing the vulnerable cub and ensuring it was placed in proper care. —Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026

According to a press release from the California zoo, the male cub, now named Crimson, was found alone in Southern California. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 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