Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

See What's Trending Now See More Trending Words

puppy

play
noun pup·py \ ˈpə-pē \

Definition of puppy

plural puppies
1 :a young domestic dog; specifically :one less than a year old
2 :baby 4
  • a computer that is one fast puppy
—

puppyhood

play \-ˌhu̇d\ noun
—

puppyish

play \-ish\ adjective
—

puppylike

play \-ˌlīk\ adjective

See puppy defined for English-language learners

See puppy defined for kids

Explore M-W

puppy
In a Time of Uncertainty, a Divided Nation Searches for Puppies
video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066
young-plant-shoots
Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!
alt-59c52d6ee2f72
Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Examples of puppy in a Sentence

  1. Our dog just had four puppies.

Recent Examples of puppy from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'puppy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of puppy

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

Phrases Related to PUPPY

Related Phrases

PUPPY Defined for English Language Learners

puppy

play
noun

Definition of puppy for English Language Learners

  • : a young dog

  • —used in a playful way to refer to a thing

  • —used in a playful way to refer to a person

PUPPY Defined for Kids

puppy

play
noun pup·py \ ˈpə-pē \

Definition of puppy for Students

plural puppies
:a young dog

Learn More about puppy

  1. Spanish Central: Translation of puppy Nglish: Translation of puppy for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of puppy for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up puppy? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

toothsome

play

agreeable, attractive, or delicious

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. dotage, dotard a state or period of senile decay

  2. otherwise "in other respects"

  3. federalism Graham says bill gives power to states

  4. bodega "Don’t mess with the beloved bodega."

  5. carceral Of, relating to, or suggesting a jail or prison

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

puppy

Test Your Vocabulary

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

  • young-plant-shoots
  • Which of the following is a new sense of the word bunny?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

alt-59c52d6ee2f72
Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

The word's origins are quite literal

alt-59c4207ecf106
Let's Talk 'Tea'

Spill it, sip it: just make it hot.

image1644821030
8 Words and Phrases from Boxing and Wrestling

Common terms that come from boxing and wrestling

alt-59c2960017c94
The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

When you push a meeting, where does it go?

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

payday
How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless
Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals
Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

young-plant-shoots
Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

You're going to have to memorize the dictionary again.

Take the quiz
stylized-drawing-of-woman-pole-vaulting-across-gap-to-get-trophy
Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

No tricks, just difficult words.

Take the quiz
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

Take the quiz
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game
Examples: puppy in a Sentence