puck

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈpək 

plural pucks

1

: a vulcanized rubber disk used in ice hockey

2

: something (such as a food item) that resembles a puck

It is imperative to remove the coffee puck after each brew.

—Ethan Miller

The gourmet burger revolution has swept into backyards and decks, as home cooks forgo frozen pucks of beef for fresh homemade patties.

—Eric Vellend

There are GPS pucks in all buses that track the bus.

—Tina Deetz, quoted in UWIRE Text

puck

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural pucks

1

: a mischievous sprite : hobgoblin

specifically, Puck : robin goodfellow

2

archaic : an evil spirit : demon

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• brownie
• dwarf
• elf
• faerie
• faery
• fairy
• fay
• gnome
• goblin
• gremlin
• hobgoblin
• kobold
• leprechaun
• pixie
• pixy
• sprite
• troll

Examples of puck in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Panthers’ opening-round, best-of-7 series against the in-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning is scheduled for a 12:30 p.m. puck drop on Sunday at Amerant Bank Arena, with the game being televised on ESPN nationally and Bally Sports Florida locally. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024

In a case of being at the right place at the right time, Smith was recording as a rogue puck struck from the ice soared into the stands, heading straight toward Davis and her 4-year-old, Nasir. —George Solis, NBC News, 14 Apr. 2024

With Mario Ferraro serving a holding penalty, Kuzmenko collected a loose puck near the side of the Sharks net and beat goalie Mackenzie Blackwood for his 18th goal of the season. —Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024

The game reached overtime after Marchand and Geekie both had chances to pot a loose puck amidst a scramble in the crease during the final minute of regulation. —Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2024

With the Sharks down by two, Mikael Granlund controlled the puck behind the Seattle net and sent it back to the point for Calen Addison. —Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2024

The set comes with two plastic pucks, two plastic strikers, and two manual scorers for friendly competition between friends or siblings. —Deanna McCormack, Parents, 19 Mar. 2024

Just a puck of coffee held together by a food-safe coating of seaweed. —Jaina Grey, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2024

Byfield got the puck off the draw between Dubois and Boone Jenner in Columbus’ offensive zone. —Joe Reedy, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

English dialect puck to poke, hit, probably from Irish poc butt, stroke in hurling, literally, buck (male deer)

Noun (2)

Middle English puke, from Old English pūca; akin to Old Norse pūki devil

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

puck

1 of 2 noun

ˈpək 

: a fairy or spirit who plays tricks on human beings

puck

2 of 2 noun

: a rubber disk used in ice hockey

Etymology

Noun

Old English pūca "evil spirit"

Noun

from a dialect word puck "to hit, poke," probably from Irish poc "butt, stroke in hurling," literally, "buck (male deer)"