pup

1 of 2

noun

1
: a young dog
also : one of the young of various animals (such as a seal or rat)
2

pup

2 of 2

verb

pupped; pupping

intransitive verb

: to give birth to pups

Examples of pup in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Wolf pups have been spotted in Pitkin County, Colorado, according to several sources, including a rancher whose calf was attacked by wolves this spring. Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 12 June 2025 And yet, with all that exposure, the pup still can't lose sight of his owner. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
Verb
Sea lion pupping season begins in mid-May, and births continue through the first week of July, according to the Seal Society. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2025 The tidepools are closed during seal pupping season from Dec. 15 through May 15. Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for pup

Word History

Etymology

Noun

short for puppy

First Known Use

Noun

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1708, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pup was in 1542

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pup. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

pup

noun
ˈpəp
: puppy
also : one of the young of various animals (as a seal or rat)

More from Merriam-Webster on pup

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!