1
: a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility
2
a
: a pampered and usually spoiled child
b
: a person who is treated with unusual kindness or consideration : darling
1
: kept or treated as a pet
2
: expressing fondness or endearment
a pet name
3
: favorite
a pet project
petted; petting
1
a
: to treat as a pet
b
: to stroke in a gentle or loving manner
2
: to treat with unusual kindness and consideration : pamper
: to engage in amorous embracing, caressing, and kissing : neck
petter
noun
dated
: a fit of peevishness, sulkiness, or anger
resigned in a pet
petroleum
Peter
positron-emission tomography
Examples of pet in a Sentence
Noun (1)
the teacher's pet was always getting special privileges
Adjective
The mayor's pet project has been the construction of a new high school.
spent my free time on my pet project
Verb (1)
a cat who loves to be petted
Noun (2)
the teenager stalked off in a pet after being refused permission to go the movies
Recent Examples on the Web
Amanda Rosa
april 9, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Coolers with food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed into the show as well as chairs and beach umbrellas, but pets are prohibited.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
Christina Shepherd McGuire, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Car Interiors From crumbs in cupholders to pet hair on seats, car interiors are full of small, frustrating messes.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 11 Apr. 2026
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Most of the therapy visits are in group settings, where students are encouraged to sit on the floor and are free to pet, play with and hug the dogs.
—Mikayla Bunnell, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pet
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Noun
The shelter receives 30 calls and emails a day from people finding animals on the street or giving up their pets, which has become more common as South Floridians struggle with higher costs of living.
—Amanda Rosa
april 9, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Coolers with food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed into the show as well as chairs and beach umbrellas, but pets are prohibited.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Every pet owner needs this collapsible dog dinner set, complete with two food storage containers, two silicone bowls, a silicone scoop, and a ripstop polyester placemat.
—Christina Shepherd McGuire, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Car Interiors From crumbs in cupholders to pet hair on seats, car interiors are full of small, frustrating messes.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
Attendees wearing cowboy hats line danced, petted fluffy white calves and posed for pictures in front of an inflated cactus.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Most of the therapy visits are in group settings, where students are encouraged to sit on the floor and are free to pet, play with and hug the dogs.
—Mikayla Bunnell, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pet
Cite this Entry
“Pet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pet. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pet
1 of 4 noun1
: someone given special treatment or consideration
teacher's pet
2
: a tame animal kept for pleasure rather than for use
pet
2 of 4 adjective1
: kept or treated as a pet
a pet rabbit
2
: showing fondness
a pet name
3
: favorite entry 2
my pet project
pet
4 of 4 noun
: a spell of sulkiness or anger
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
