puppet

noun

pup·​pet ˈpə-pət 

often attributive

1

a

: a small-scale figure (as of a person or animal) usually with a cloth body and hollow head that fits over and is moved by the hand

b

: marionette

2

: doll sense 1

3

: one whose acts are controlled by an outside force or influence

a puppet ruler

puppetlike

ˈpə-pət-ˌlīk 

adjective

Synonyms of puppet

• doll

Examples of puppet in a Sentence

a dictator who was perceived as being an American puppet

gave her a puppet with strings for a gift

Recent Examples on the Web

Being able to move that puppet and a camera at least as large as her bedroom that the puppet is moving through? — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2026

The painstaking process of making the film required the creation of 227 puppets and the shooting of 109,440 frames to bring the story to life. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 4 Nov. 2026

Walk alongside giant ornaments, snowflakes, and sleigh light displays dotting the pier, and get creative with free community craft workshops including edible snowmen, pinecone woodland creatures, paper bag puppets, and more. — Allison Yates, Midwest Living, 3 Nov. 2026

Puppeteers Felix Mayes and Kevin Michael Wesson, with a puppet by Grace Needlman, in a production by Rough House Puppet Arts of Chicago. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English popet youth, doll, from Middle French poupette, diminutive of *poupe doll, from Vulgar Latin *puppa, alteration of Latin pupa

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing puppet

• glove puppet
• hand puppet
• puppet regime
• sock puppet

Kids Definition

puppet

noun

pup·​pet ˈpəp-ət 

1

: a doll moved by hand or by strings or wires

2

: doll sense 1

3

: a person or a government whose acts are controlled by an outside force or influence