puppy

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

puppyhood

2 of 2

noun (2)

pup·​py·​hood ˈpəpēˌhu̇d 

: the state or period of being a puppy

Examples of puppy in a Sentence

Noun (1)

Our dog just had four puppies.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

An Orange County woman is facing federal criminal charges after being accused of luring a pit bull puppy underneath her minivan and running it over in an incident that was caught on video. — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026

Filters that transform users into playful characters, like elves or puppies, will remain available for young people. — Chloe Veltman, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026

But yes, getting to cuddle a puppy is obviously part of the appeal. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026

Officials transferred four puppies to an undisclosed shelter, while all 87 cats went to the pet resource center, where many need immediate veterinary care. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English popi, from Middle French poupée doll, toy, from *poupe

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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 dog eyes
• puppy eyes
• 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