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
Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Studies conducted in recent years have shown that women in heterosexual couples predominantly take on the brunt of domestic tasks—managing the family’s calendar, unloading the dishwasher, feeding pets.
—Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025
James Somers, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
What’s more, our top picks are designed to do everything from collect loose pet hair to tackle stains and spills with mopping technology.
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2025
Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
The heartwarming clip shared on Instagram in October under the username @introducing_hati, shows the Siberian husky/ German shepherd mix pup hanging out with the Koi fish in the pond at his grandpa’s house, gently bopping and petting them.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pet
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
The bill would pay for the creation of new dog parks and fund the cleaning of streets where dog owners fail to clean up after their pets, the same source reported.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Studies conducted in recent years have shown that women in heterosexual couples predominantly take on the brunt of domestic tasks—managing the family’s calendar, unloading the dishwasher, feeding pets.
—Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Every group of neuroscientists has its pet theory.
—James Somers, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
What’s more, our top picks are designed to do everything from collect loose pet hair to tackle stains and spills with mopping technology.
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
Both ends of the leash will simply enjoy having people pet the therapy dog, chat with the handler, try to calm their nerves before running their big race, and, hopefully, have a significant, measurable feeling of relaxation.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
The heartwarming clip shared on Instagram in October under the username @introducing_hati, shows the Siberian husky/ German shepherd mix pup hanging out with the Koi fish in the pond at his grandpa’s house, gently bopping and petting them.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pet
Cite this Entry
“Pet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pet. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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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