whelp

noun

\ ˈhwelp

, ˈwelp\

Definition of whelp

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : any of the young of various carnivorous mammals and especially of the dog

2 : a young boy or girl

whelp

verb

whelped; whelping; whelps

Definition of whelp (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to give birth to —used of various carnivores and especially the dog

intransitive verb

: to bring forth young

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about whelp

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Synonyms & Antonyms for whelp

Synonyms: Noun

bairn [chiefly Scottish], bambino, bud, chap [Southern & Midland], chick, child, cub, juvenile, kid, kiddie (also kiddy), kiddo, moppet, sprat, sprout, squirt, youngling, youngster, youth

Antonyms: Noun

adult, grown-up

Examples of whelp in a Sentence

Noun

playtime's over, it's time to gather up the whelps and head home

Verb

The dog whelped in March.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

And from Susan’s line, the queen’s breeding program at the Kennels of Windsor whelped hundreds of corgi puppies. — William Booth, Washington Post, "Queen Elizabeth II loses her last corgi, Willow, marking the end of a scrappy canine dynasty," 18 Apr. 2018 From the queen's breeding program at the Kennels of Windsor, hundreds of royal corgis have been whelped. — William Booth, chicagotribune.com, "Queen Elizabeth II loses her last corgi, Willow, marking the end of a scrappy canine dynasty," 18 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'whelp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.