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

Like a kid seeing a puppy under the tree on Christmas morning. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Another video, posted by Roman Camacho, showed rescuers saving a young puppy from a fallen building in Caracas. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 7 July 2026

Neither Swift nor Kelce has publicly confirmed the news, but during a February 2025 episode on the Fitz and Whit podcast, Kelce’s older brother, Jason, announced that the Chiefs player adopted a puppy. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 7 July 2026

Stray pets taken in by the nonprofit since July 4 of this year include 54 dogs, 11 cats, eight puppies, 23 kittens and one reptile. — Madeleine Kashkooli, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 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