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

Chilli and the rest of his puppy teammates are learning how to use their noses to conduct faster, more accurate, and non-invasive diagnoses for Pa infections. —Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026

La La kept Seven (named after the New York Knicks jersey worn by Carmelo) in Brooklyn, though Kiyan has a rottweiler puppy named Scarlett on campus with him. —Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026

Who wouldn’t love to read these authors on getting a puppy, saying goodbye, and loving everyone’s best friend? —Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026

No injuries were reported, but crews rescued five puppies from the burning structure, fire officials said. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 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