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

Blair added that many of the canines went unspayed and unneutered during that period, leading to more and more puppy births. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Aug. 2026

The dollhouse is filled with double the paws as Gabby’s little sister Doozie and her best puppy pal Puggie arrive for their first-ever cat and dog playdate. — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 2 Aug. 2026

She was found stray with two puppies and no one to care for her. — Arkansas Online, 1 Aug. 2026

Invading forces threaten the country when Etna is still a puppy, and the looming war marks the abrupt end of his idyllic puppyhood. — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 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