1
: a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility
2
a
: a pampered and usually spoiled child
b
: a person who is treated with unusual kindness or consideration : darling
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
dated
: a fit of peevishness, sulkiness, or anger
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
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2026
The main difference in the last decade or so has been a mental shift, from thinking of animals as utilitarian to companion pets, said Wong at HKU.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
Raccoons are clever, opportunistic feeders, eating whatever’s readily available, including plant and animal matter, garbage, pet food, bird seed, vegetable gardens, and eggs from chicken coops.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 May 2026
Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
This fluffy breed of Scottish cattle is available for visitors to pet and take photos with, although arguably, their favorite activity is being fed.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 10 May 2026
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
Evacuations can stretch on for days, so pack comfort items and supplies that keep children and pets calm and cared for away from home.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2026
The main difference in the last decade or so has been a mental shift, from thinking of animals as utilitarian to companion pets, said Wong at HKU.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
Adjective
During the question-and-answer session, he was asked whether cash bonds should be eliminated, a pet cause of the political left.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
Raccoons are clever, opportunistic feeders, eating whatever’s readily available, including plant and animal matter, garbage, pet food, bird seed, vegetable gardens, and eggs from chicken coops.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 May 2026
Verb
Sam and Katie Larimer of Lake Bluff brought their daughter Rosie, 2, who spent some time petting Squeeze.
—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
This fluffy breed of Scottish cattle is available for visitors to pet and take photos with, although arguably, their favorite activity is being fed.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pet
Cite this Entry
“Pet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pet. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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
