pet

1 of 8

noun (1)

ˈpet 

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

pet

2 of 8

adjective

1

: kept or treated as a pet

2

: expressing fondness or endearment

a pet name

3

: favorite

a pet project

pet

3 of 8

verb (1)

petted; petting

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to engage in amorous embracing, caressing, and kissing : neck

petter noun

pet

4 of 8

noun (2)

dated

: a fit of peevishness, sulkiness, or anger

resigned in a pet

pet

5 of 8

verb (2)

petted; petting

intransitive verb

: to take offense : sulk

pet

6 of 8

abbreviation (1)

petroleum

Pet

7 of 8

abbreviation (2)

Peter

PET

8 of 8

abbreviation (3)

positron-emission tomography

Synonyms of pet

Noun (1)

• favorite
• darling

Adjective

• beloved
• loved
• cherished
• favorite
• precious
• special
• darling
• sweet

Verb (1)

• pat
• stroke
• caress

Noun (2)

• pouts
• dumps
• blues
• irritableness

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

Noun

In 2024 hundreds of community scientists participated in Hartstone-Rose’s research project, making note of how animals around them behaved during the solar eclipse—from pets to farm animals to wild creatures. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 23 July 2026

Removing Stains From Linoleum Floors Linoleum floors can get stains and discoloration from heavy foot traffic, food spills, pets, or heavy furniture that’s been sitting on them for some time. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 23 July 2026

Adjective

The strategy illustrates how large pet-food companies increasingly see nutrition as part of preventive health care rather than simply feeding pets. — Elsa Ohlen,carolin Roth, CNBC, 18 July 2026

In Italy, blue crab is used mostly in pet food and occasionally served in restaurants. — Kasha Patel, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Verb

The actor stars in a new social media advertisement for the brand, in which he is shown playing the guitar, looking out on the beach and petting a dog. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026

Supervise pets outdoors, especially in unfamiliar areas, and keep dogs from sniffing or chewing plants on trails and sidewalks. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

perhaps back-formation from Middle English pety small — more at petty

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1710, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1629, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1581, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1629, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pet

• family pet
• in a pet
• pet hate
• pet name
• pet peeve
• teacher's pet

Rhymes for pet

• bet
• brett
• debt
• et
• fret
• get
• jet
• let
• lett
• met
• net
• nett

Kids Definition

pet

1 of 4 noun

ˈpet 

1

: someone given special treatment or consideration

teacher's pet

2

: a tame animal kept for pleasure rather than for use

pet

2 of 4 adjective

1

: kept or treated as a pet

a pet rabbit

2

: showing fondness

a pet name

3

: favorite entry 2

my pet project

pet

3 of 4 verb

petted; petting

1

: fondle, caress

2

: to treat as a pet : pamper

3

: to engage in embracing, caressing, and kissing

pet

4 of 4 noun

: a spell of sulkiness or anger

Medical Definition

PET

abbreviation

positron-emission tomography