puppy mill

noun

: a commercial farming operation in which purebred dogs are raised in large numbers and often in substandard or poor conditions

Currently, hundreds of thousands of dogs languish in puppy mills, large commercial breeding operations that supply most pet stores across the United States and contribute heavily to the pet overpopulation problem.

—Dog Watch

Examples of puppy mill in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Missouri has had the highest concentration and largest number of commercial puppy mills for the last 14 years, according to the Humane World for Animals annual reports. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2026

The Los Angeles city attorney’s office is suing an animal rescue organization that was once a favorite among Hollywood celebrities, alleging that its owner purchased dogs from puppy mills and portrayed them to adopters as animals that were rescued. — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Then Mattie’s new husband, veterinarian Cole Walker, discovers cowed teenage workers at a puppy mill. — Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026

The 2018 tip alleged a home in the neighborhood was operating as a pit bull puppy mill. — Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for puppy mill

• basophil
• carboxyl
• daffodil
• neutrophil
• overkill
• overspill
• anthill
• backfill
• bluegill
• crossbill
• distil
• distill