1
a
: a pampered and usually spoiled child
b
: a person who is treated with unusual kindness or consideration : darling
2
: a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility
1
: kept or treated as a pet
2
: expressing fondness or endearment
a pet name
3
: favorite
a pet project
petted; petting
1
a
: to treat as a pet
b
: to stroke in a gentle or loving manner
2
: to treat with unusual kindness and consideration : pamper
: to engage in amorous embracing, caressing, and kissing : neck
petter
noun
: a fit of peevishness, sulkiness, or anger
—usually used in the phrase in a pet
resigned in a pet
petroleum
Peter
positron-emission tomography
Synonyms
Examples of pet in a Sentence
Noun (1)
the teacher's pet was always getting special privileges
Adjective
The mayor's pet project has been the construction of a new high school.
spent my free time on my pet project
Verb (1)
a cat who loves to be petted
Noun (2)
the teenager stalked off in a pet after being refused permission to go the movies
Recent Examples on the Web
The Arizona Republic, 16 Aug. 2024
The weather service urged people to find air conditioning, stay out of the sun and avoid leaving children or pets in unattended vehicles as cars could reach lethal temperatures in minutes.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2024
Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2024
Amazon’s drone delivery service, Prime Air, was a pet project of founder Jeff Bezos, who laid out his plans for the service more than a decade ago.
—April Roach, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2024
Sam Allard, Axios, 5 Aug. 2024
Then, spend a few minutes petting or cuddling your pet—the perfect cool-down transition back into academics.
—Catherine Holecko, Parents, 30 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for pet 
Noun
These are just a few of the many pets up for adoption at Valley shelters.
—The Arizona Republic, 16 Aug. 2024
The weather service urged people to find air conditioning, stay out of the sun and avoid leaving children or pets in unattended vehicles as cars could reach lethal temperatures in minutes.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2024
Adjective
Haddix and the other people (almost always women) who are featured as pet chimpanzee owners come off as deeply unwell, obsessed and potentially delusional about them.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2024
Amazon’s drone delivery service, Prime Air, was a pet project of founder Jeff Bezos, who laid out his plans for the service more than a decade ago.
—April Roach, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2024
Verb
The mingling of animals, people and equipment at 4-H competitions, along with milking demonstrations and petting farms, creates the conditions for potential transmission to humans.
—Sam Allard, Axios, 5 Aug. 2024
Then, spend a few minutes petting or cuddling your pet—the perfect cool-down transition back into academics.
—Catherine Holecko, Parents, 30 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for pet
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pet
Cite this Entry
“Pet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pet. Accessed 10 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pet
1 of 4 noun1
: someone given special treatment or consideration
teacher's pet
2
: a tame animal kept for pleasure rather than for use
pet
2 of 4 adjective1
: kept or treated as a pet
a pet rabbit
2
: showing fondness
a pet name
3
: favorite entry 2
my pet project
pet
4 of 4 noun
: a spell of sulkiness or anger
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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