puppy

noun pup·py \ ˈpə-pē \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Examples: puppy in a Sentence

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

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puppyhood

play \ˈpə-pē-ˌhu̇d\ noun

—

puppyish

play \ˈpə-pē-ish\ adjective

—

puppylike

play \ˈpə-pē-ˌlīk\ adjective

See puppy defined for English-language learners

See puppy defined for kids

Examples of puppy in a Sentence

Our dog just had four puppies.

Recent Examples of puppy from the Web

Noah, a black and tan puppy about 6 months old, had suffered numerous fractures and injuries before he was found dead in a suitcase that was abandoned outside a Willowbrook townhouse in 2015.

— kimberly fornek, chicagotribune.com, "Willow Pond Park dedication features family fun, dedication of abused animal memorial," 10 June 2018
Guy, a former therapist who now breeds cream golden retrievers, had balked at paying Broughton $1,000 to help prepare a puppy for pickup from a customer.

— stephanie ebbert, BostonGlobe.com, "Vietnam service may keep veteran from facing assault charges," 9 June 2018
Next to him, 4-year-old Chris Jr. — C.J., the same boy now running in and out of the living room with a gray puppy at his heels — was standing in a matching pre-K version of the robe.

— Washington Post, "In the Army and the Klan, he hated Muslims.," 5 June 2018
Rescuers save a puppy in the village of San Miguel Los Lotes.

— kate storey, Popular Mechanics, "Devastating Photos of the Guatemala Volcanic Eruption That Has Killed 62," 4 June 2018
Steve was elected to the Board of Directors of the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation in Bloom?eld, Connecticut in conjunction with Karen and Steve's raising of a puppy for the organization.

— courant.com, "Stephen H. Matheson," 3 June 2018
Animal rescuers reunite mother dog and her puppy Advertisement Humane Society International rescuers reunite a puppy with her mother that were caged in a South Korean dog meat farm.

— scott berson, charlotteobserver, "Someone left a pit bull to starve to death in a buried 'torture chamber,' Penn. cops say," 31 May 2018
Steve spent multiple years worshipping Miranda like a loyal, lovesick puppy only to turn around and cheat on her?

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "10 Things About the Sex and the City Movie That Are Ridiculous—Even By SATC Standards," 30 May 2018
The family raised the male dog who attacked the child from a puppy.

— william cummings, USA TODAY, "8-month-old baby girl dies after she was attacked by pet dog in Florida," 30 May 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1567

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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PUPPY Defined for English Language Learners

puppy

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

noun pup·py \ ˈpə-pē \

Definition of puppy for Students

plural puppies

: a young dog

Learn More about puppy

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

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puppy

Definition of puppy

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puppylike

Examples of puppy in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of puppy

PUPPY Defined for English Language Learners

puppy

Definition of puppy for English Language Learners

PUPPY Defined for Kids

puppy

Definition of puppy for Students

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