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
Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
Owners should practice patience and understanding, as well as learning to recognize any signs of fear or anxiety in their new pet.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
The pet cameras only record in real time and don't actually save the video, Sainz said.
—Alexandra Hardle, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 30 Sep. 2025
Last November, the pair made headlines when Stewart lightly pushed Barrymore — who was casually petting her shoulder — away from her during a conversation about relationships on the latter's talk show.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 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
Today, Elanco stands as one of the leading animal health providers in the world, with more than 9,000 employees globally and more than 200 brands sold for pets and farm animals.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
Owners should practice patience and understanding, as well as learning to recognize any signs of fear or anxiety in their new pet.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The post included two photos of Hamilton spending time with his pet dog outdoors, as well as a snap of Roscoe sleeping in his arms and a photo of the animal’s paw resting in his hand.
—Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
The pet cameras only record in real time and don't actually save the video, Sainz said.
—Alexandra Hardle, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
While ferrying Camila from playdates to pet psychics, Issa realizes the dog’s bark is worse than her bite—much like Camila’s attractive, yet reclusive owner, Theo (Famous in Love’s Carter Jenkins).
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 30 Sep. 2025
Last November, the pair made headlines when Stewart lightly pushed Barrymore — who was casually petting her shoulder — away from her during a conversation about relationships on the latter's talk show.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 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 4 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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