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
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
Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The humans who have bragging rights as owners of the winning pets in this contest are married couples without children.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 27 Oct. 2025
While Mizmo and his reactions to realistic bird cakes are fake, the lengths pet owners will go to celebrate their animal companions are very real.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Attractions covered by admission include a Lainey Wilson corn maze, hay ride, cow and pumpkin trains, carousel, zip line, jumping pillows, obstacle course, petting farm, mechanical swings and slides, musical shows and so much more.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pet
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
At his most recent giveaway last month, Waggoner amassed 2,157 costumes and more than 1,000 accessories — and while about 70% of the costumes were for kids, there were also some for pets and adults.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The humans who have bragging rights as owners of the winning pets in this contest are married couples without children.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Made specifically for animal hair and other pet messes, this Dyson is easy to move around, has a brush made to detangle hair, and whole-machine filtration.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 27 Oct. 2025
While Mizmo and his reactions to realistic bird cakes are fake, the lengths pet owners will go to celebrate their animal companions are very real.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
And, yes, kids can pet the zebra, according to Capicchioni.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Attractions covered by admission include a Lainey Wilson corn maze, hay ride, cow and pumpkin trains, carousel, zip line, jumping pillows, obstacle course, petting farm, mechanical swings and slides, musical shows and so much more.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pet
Cite this Entry
“Pet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pet. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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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