pup

play

noun \ ˈpəp \

Definition of pup

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

2 :offset 2a

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Recent Examples of pup from the Web

But don’t sweat it if your pocketbook won’t allow a pup purchase; 67 percent of men and 79 percent of women said someone who simply expresses outward affection for dogs is also attractive.

— christen a. johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Survey shows love for dogs makes you more attractive," 25 Aug. 2017
Forget about a dog house because this pup has his own personal room—

— katina beniaris, Country Living, "This Man Built His Dog the Coziest Bedroom Under the Stairs," 23 Aug. 2017
But if captive females gave birth in enclosures right by the river, his team found, the pups learned where home was.

— kata karáth, Science | AAAS, "Scientists think they can save the European mink—by killing its ruthless rivals," 16 Aug. 2017
They are often joined by youths in the LEO Clubs at Rancho Bernardo High School and Bernardo Heights Middle School, plus guide dog trainers with their pups in training.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Dye is leading Rancho Bernardo Lions for third time," 6 Aug. 2017
The melting pup is one of many VIPs — very important Pomeranians — to grace us with its internet presence.

— zoë weiner, Teen Vogue, "Melting Pomeranian Photo Goes Viral on Twitter," 25 July 2017
Oliver, a four-month-old shih tzu pup, seemed befuddled as dog groomer Michelle Robinson deftly pulled his paw back and clipped his back nails.

— carole carlson, Post-Tribune, "Gary Pet Fair draws four-legged crowd," 17 July 2017
As wolves once again raise their pups this summer, their growing families and appetites raise a specter of dread in ranching country.

— lynda v. mapes, The Seattle Times, "With cattle in Washington’s wolf country, ranchers work and worry," 14 July 2017
The area was adjacent to a closed beach where a mother monk seal was nursing her pup.

— Washington Post, "Monk seal bites, injures US wildlife staffer on Midway Atoll," 11 July 2017

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

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

play

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

play

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

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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

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pup

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