puppy

noun

pup·​py ˈpə-pē How to pronounce puppy (audio)
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 noun
puppyish adjective
puppylike adjective

Examples of puppy in a Sentence

Our dog just had four puppies.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dogs often developed sores on their feet from living on the wire mesh floors of their cages, and often puppies could be seen with their legs and paws falling through the holes, documents showed. Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 8 July 2025 In the midst of a Texas storm last week, a tiny trembling puppy was found clinging onto life, left in an onion sack, shivering and covered in ticks. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025 Foster parents can take home a dog or puppies that same day. Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 6 July 2025 With a puppy on her lap and her favorite Thor mug full of coffee, Sasha is working on her next novel. Meg Miller, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for puppy

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of puppy was in 1567

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Puppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puppy. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

puppy

noun
pup·​py ˈpəp-ē How to pronounce puppy (audio)
plural puppies
: a young domestic dog
especially : one less than a year old

More from Merriam-Webster on puppy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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