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

The competition highlights rescue dogs and shelter animals, many of whom have overcome significant challenges including puppy mill backgrounds. —Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Aug. 2025

By the time Lamb Chop took home the grand prize, the 12-pound Maltese was an advocate for Bailing Out Benji, a nonprofit dedicated to helping puppy mill rescues. —Kelli Bender, People.com, 17 July 2025

Before the law, Wisconsin was a magnet for puppy mills with no regulation. —Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 8 July 2025

Proponents said the law would increase animal welfare and fight puppy mills. —Alyssa Miller Hurley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for puppy mill

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