pup

noun \ ˈpəp \

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

Definition of pup

1 : a young dog; also : one of the young of various animals (such as a seal or rat)

2 : offset 2a

See pup defined for English-language learners

See pup defined for kids

Recent Examples of pup from the Web

City Dogs Cleveland will bring their adoptable pups to Cedar Lee Theatre for opening weekend.

— cleveland.com, "22 movies and film fests to see in Cleveland in April 2018," 3 Apr. 2018
Brett Harbour, 34, was house-sitting for a friend with his 2-year-old pup when his 1999 Ford Econoline disappeared off the 200 block of South Walcott Street around midnight.

— maureen c. gilmer, Indianapolis Star, "Thieves stole homeless vet's van, but he and his dog get helping hand in Fountain Square," 28 Mar. 2018
Pets are part of the family too, so why not have a portrait commissioned for your precious pup or cuddly cat?

— julia sayers, AL.com, "Commission the perfect pet portrait from these Birmingham artists," 27 Mar. 2018
Just like comedy clubs warm a crowd up with some jokes before the main act, so too should pet parents get their pup primed for the camera.

— Southern Living, "You've Been Taking Pictures of Your Dog Entirely Wrong," 23 Mar. 2018
Bob Balabam, Greta Gerwig, 11-year-old Koyu Rankin, who plays Isle of Dogs' hero—a boy who takes down a corrupt government to save his pup.

— anna peele, GQ, "The Wonderful World of Wes Anderson," 22 Mar. 2018
While vets and experts don't fully understand the illness, which is usually fatal, there are a few steps pet owners can take to protect their pups.

— jessica leigh mattern, Country Living, "What Is Alabama Rot? Here's Everything Pet Owners Need to Know About the Deadly Dog Disease," 10 Mar. 2018
None of the dogs’ adoptive parents know the outcome of the bowl or how much air time their pup will see.

— sue kiesewetter, Cincinnati.com, "Meet the Butler Co. dogs competing in Puppy Bowl XIV," 30 Jan. 2018
Regardless, pup seems happy and healthy, bringing him to the vet today.

— lindsey bever, Washington Post, "Another airline mishap led to a puppy’s days-long, cross-country misadventure," 20 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pup.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of pup

short for puppy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1542

See Words from the same year

Other Mammals Terms

dormouse, dugong, gibbon, grimalkin, sable, stoat, ungulate, vole

pup

verb

Definition of pup

pupped; pupping

intransitive verb

: to give birth to pups

Recent Examples of pup from the Web

The City Council decided in 2014 to limit access to the beach during pupping season in response to concerns that people were harassing the seals.

— joshua emerson smith, latimes.com, "La Jolla Children's Pool closes for pupping season as legal war continues," 15 Dec. 2017
Kourtney and her daughter Penelope Disick have already named their sister pup Honey, but Kim is taking her decision beyond the family.

— kelli bender, PEOPLE.com, "North West's New Puppy (Finally) Has the Yummiest Name!," 27 June 2017
The controversial beach in La Jolla known as Children’s Pool has reopened this week after being closed since December for harbor seal pupping season.

— joshua emerson smith, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Children’s Pool beach reopens as legal battle over seals continues," 16 May 2017

First Known Use of pup

1708

PUP Defined for English Language Learners

pup

noun

Definition of pup for English Language Learners

: a young dog; also : one of the young of various animals other than dogs

PUP Defined for Kids

pup

noun \ ˈpəp \

Definition of pup for Students

1 : puppy

2 : a young animal

seal pups

Learn More about pup

See words that rhyme with pup Spanish Central: Translation of pup Nglish: Translation of pup for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pup for Arabic speakers

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pup

Definition of pup

Recent Examples of pup from the Web

Origin and Etymology of pup

Other Mammals Terms

pup

Definition of pup

Recent Examples of pup from the Web

First Known Use of pup

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PUP Defined for English Language Learners

pup

Definition of pup for English Language Learners

PUP Defined for Kids

pup

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