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
Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Oct. 2025
For places where water can’t be drained, like ponds and fountains, use mosquito dunks or bits that contain bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, BTI, a naturally occurring bacterium that kills mosquito larvae but is harmless to pets, birds and other wildlife.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Melody Kazel, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Aside from navigating the ups and downs of pet health and behavior, many pet parents struggle to remain in sync with their vet between annual checkups.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Oct. 2025
Wilson, 29, was sitting on the ground, petting the two pups, when suddenly the Boerboel lunged and latched onto her nose.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pet
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.
Noun
To date, no illness of pets or humans related to this lot has been reported.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Oct. 2025
For places where water can’t be drained, like ponds and fountains, use mosquito dunks or bits that contain bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, BTI, a naturally occurring bacterium that kills mosquito larvae but is harmless to pets, birds and other wildlife.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Its spray and scrub function cleans tough stains, especially unwanted pet accidents.
—Melody Kazel, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Aside from navigating the ups and downs of pet health and behavior, many pet parents struggle to remain in sync with their vet between annual checkups.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
The petting farm is one of the ways Cornucopia Farm weaves agricultural education into fun activities.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Oct. 2025
Wilson, 29, was sitting on the ground, petting the two pups, when suddenly the Boerboel lunged and latched onto her nose.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 11 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 14 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share