pup

noun \ ˈpəp \

|Updated on: 14 Aug 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

Arreola is also a comic and novelty collector with an online store (nerdalertnovelties.com), a season ticketholder at Six Flags Texas Fiesta Texas, a DJ and a proud parent to his chihuahua pups, Chewy and Bailey.

— lainey berkus, San Antonio Express-News, "In the Bag: Al Arreola," 2 July 2018
His mom also posted images of the pup the old-fashioned away — on flyers around town.

— saryn chorney, PEOPLE.com, "WATCH: 'Dog Twitter' Helping Grandparents Reunite with Their Lost Senior Corgi Will Give You All the Feels," 25 June 2018
In a post from November 2017, the group shared photos on their social media page of the pup.

— elizabeth zwirz, Fox News, "Newest royal dog is rescue beagle from Kentucky, report says," 23 May 2018
Guy the beagle, Meghan Markle's pup, became doggy royalty over the weekend when his owner exchanged vows with Prince Harry.

— darcy costello, The Courier-Journal, "Meet Guy, Meghan Markle's royal beagle puppy from Kentucky," 22 May 2018
Amid many more serious nuggets, Streisand revealed that two of her dogs were cloned — two of her three Coton de Tulears were created from the cells of a 14-year-old pup who died last year.

— ben meyerson, RedEye Chicago, "'Hamilton' polka, Streisand's clone dogs and more conversation starters for your weekend," 9 Mar. 2018
Attendees can dress up to match their pups or enter the hounds alone in the contest.

— april orcutt, latimes.com, "Close to home for July 13-15: All sorts of riches--Shakespeare, gold, Edith Piaf and dogs," 8 July 2018
Many dog owners are taking their pups out of the house to explore.

— natalie dreier, ajc, "Cool dogs: Company develops air conditioned public dog houses for dogs on the go," 7 July 2018
Vergara also shared a hilarious present-day picture of her pup wearing a polka dot bikini.

— mariah haas, Fox News, "Sofia Vergara shares bikini photo from the '90s," 7 July 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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

One woman fell from a California bridge and survived last year and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has previously warned those behind or in front of the lens to refrain from taking selfies with seals during their pupping season.

— lauren rearick, Teen Vogue, "Instagram Influencer Reveals She Was Bitten by Nurse Shark While Trying to Get a Photo," 11 July 2018
Coyotes have been known to advance on, growl at or surround dog walkers and their pets, a pattern of aggression that is natural for the wild canines during pupping season, which begins in the spring and continues through the summer.

— peter fimrite, San Francisco Chronicle, "Coyote alert: SF is home to seven new pups in the Presidio," 4 June 2018
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