pup

1 of 2

noun

ˈpəp 

1

: a young dog

also : one of the young of various animals (such as a seal or rat)

2

: offset sense 2a

pup

2 of 2

verb

pupped; pupping

intransitive verb

: to give birth to pups

Examples of pup in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The animal shelter also set up vet appointments for the pups to receive vaccinations and spay and neuter appointments, which are done at the rescue facility at no cost to the foster. —Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025

Partygoers headed to the Fireshade Room for cocktail hour and the reception, where there were speciality drink menus featuring the bride and groom's pups, Frankie and Ted. —Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025

Verb

At first, this looks like just another mismatched cop thriller, with Denzel as the street-smart veteran teaching young pup Ethan Hawke a few tricks. —Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025

The Seal Society was instrumental in the city’s decision in 2014 to close the beach at La Jolla’s Children’s Pool to the public from Dec. 15 to May 15 annually to keep humans and harbor seals separated during the seals’ pupping season. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

short for puppy

First Known Use

Noun

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1708, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pup

• buy a pup
• pup tent
• sell a pup

Rhymes for pup

• cup
• sup
• up
• yup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup

Kids Definition

pup

noun

ˈpəp

: puppy

also : one of the young of various animals (as a seal or rat)