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

The plane doubles as a playset and airship and features more than 15 pieces, including a puppy companion. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 25 June 2026

More than 20 dogs and puppies have been rescued after officers shut down a Statesville dog fighting kennel where men bred, trained, sold and tied up pit bull type dogs and posted about it on Facebook. — Julia Coin june 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2026

The former Jon & Kate Plus 8 star also shared pictures of himself and his wife holding and doting over the new puppy. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026

There will be interactive activities such as a puppy red carpet with step and repeat, gifting suite for dog, and custom comic by DC comic artists with owner and their dog. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 22 June 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