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

More than a hundred dogs and puppies rescued from commercial breeders touched down at Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, on a special flight arranged by the Bissell Pet Foundation. —Derek James, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026

This includes dog and cat food, cat litter, treats, beds and blankets, food and water bowls, leashes and collars, puppy pads, nail trimmers, and even flea and tick prevention. —Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 15 Mar. 2026

As the needles slid in, the puppy, its tail unmoving, climbed onto the bed and squeezed in next to Delgado. —Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026

First, a puppy and then an engagement ring from Brazilian businessman Georgios Frangulis. —Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 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