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

The series backs up 25 years to a Connecticut farm where father Cyrus Trask (Tracy Letts), a peg-legged Civil War veteran, rejects Charles’ gift of a new knife in favor of Adam’s present of a stray puppy, creating a long trail of jealousy. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

This laugh-out-loud picture book will delight young readers (and anyone else who’d like several hundred puppies). — Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

Up on a hill overlooking Sarajevo, Karadžić, the proud champion of his nation, huddles inside a little red pod, formerly part of a cable car, trying to make a phone call to his wife while petting a puppy that larks around at his feet. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Raphie Shin and Daniel Lepore adopted a Cane Corso puppy almost two years ago, a welcome addition to the military family. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 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 dog eyes
• puppy eyes
• 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