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
Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
As long as they are given space and not cornered, bears do not seek to attack or kill children or pets.
—Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 8 July 2025
Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 11 July 2025
Child and pet welfare: Never forget to safeguard young children and pets by not leaving them unattended in vehicles, especially during scorching weather when car interiors can become life-threateningly hot.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Another image showed the singer riding a horse while pointing the camera down at her husband, who was petting it.
—Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 27 June 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
Urban planning that allows for animal movement also increases the likelihood of contact with people, pets and livestock — which means humans need to learn how to interact with wild animals in a healthier way.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
As long as they are given space and not cornered, bears do not seek to attack or kill children or pets.
—Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 8 July 2025
Adjective
Child and pet safety: Never forget to safeguard young children and pets by not leaving them unattended in vehicles, especially during scorching weather when car interiors can become life-threateningly hot.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 11 July 2025
Child and pet welfare: Never forget to safeguard young children and pets by not leaving them unattended in vehicles, especially during scorching weather when car interiors can become life-threateningly hot.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
Some students marched right up to Aggie and Maggie to try to pet them.
—The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Another image showed the singer riding a horse while pointing the camera down at her husband, who was petting it.
—Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 27 June 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 18 Jul. 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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