puppy

noun

pup·​py ˈpə-pē 

plural puppies

1

: a young domestic dog

specifically : one less than a year old

2

: baby sense 4

a computer that is one fast puppy

puppyhood

ˈpə-pē-ˌhu̇d 

noun

puppyish

ˈpə-pē-ish 

adjective

puppylike

ˈpə-pē-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of puppy in a Sentence

Our dog just had four puppies.

Recent Examples on the Web

At least one of the puppies was deemed unlikely to survive and others are showing concerning medical signs, according to ACCT Philly and Outcast. —Joe Brandt, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025

The puppies initially came from Schooly's rescue. —Christina Hall, Freep.com, 19 Dec. 2025

Golden retrievers of all ages — from excitable puppies playing in the mud to more mature canines roaming in Santa hats and fairy costumes — filled the park as owners sat drinking yerba mate, a typical Argentine drink, and taking pictures. —Miguel Lo Bianco, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025

To help ease her grief, Sarah decided to foster a puppy from Wags & Walks. —Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 15 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English popi, from Middle French poupée doll, toy, from *poupe

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing puppy

• foster dog/cat/puppy/kitten
• hush puppy
• mud puppy
• one sick puppy
• one tired puppy
• puppy dog
• puppy fat
• puppy love
• puppy mill

Rhymes for puppy

• guppy
• yuppie

Kids Definition

puppy

noun

pup·​py ˈpəp-ē 

plural puppies

: a young domestic dog

especially : one less than a year old