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

In short, these puppies make travel easier for just about any discomfort that would otherwise make walking or other similar activities more difficult. —Brandon Schultz, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2025

All life stages: These formulas have adequate nutrients for all canine life stages, from the puppy period to older adulthood. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2025

The absence of support often forces American mothers to return to work shortly after childbirth, sometimes sooner than the eight weeks that federal law mandates for separating puppies from their mothers. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025

Organizations spend around two years raising the dogs, guiding them through their puppy phase, teaching them basic obedience, socializing them and training them for specific service tasks. —Allana Haynes, Baltimore Sun, 22 Apr. 2025

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