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

Two puppies were stillborn, but the team was able to successfully deliver and save the smallest puppy, the runt of the litter. — Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

At another residence, prosecutors said a refrigerator, stove and two pit bull puppies were stolen before the house was then set on fire. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

Photos shared by the fire department showed firefighters and EMTs administering CPR to the puppies and moving the dogs from the scene, carrying them around in a small plastic tub lined with towels. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026

Because let’s face it, the only thing kids like more than puppies are dinosaurs. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 2026

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