1
a
: a pampered and usually spoiled child
b
: a person who is treated with unusual kindness or consideration : darling
2
: a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility
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
: a fit of peevishness, sulkiness, or anger
—usually used in the phrase in a pet
resigned in a pet
petroleum
Peter
positron-emission tomography
Synonyms
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
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
So far, about 30 people have been located and a number of pets, according to the DANA Desaparcideo organizers.
—Atika Shubert, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024
Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
But animal rights campaigners and pet owners have long complained that the noise causes extreme distress to animals.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Elizabeth Carlen, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
Of course Buster turns out to have been abused, and bonds deeply with me, but barks and flees whenever Lily comes home, and hides whenever Ione tries to pet him.
—Charles Bock, People.com, 6 Oct. 2024
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 pet's owner, who goes by @marysaunicornn, shared the heartwarming moment to social media platform TikTok on November 1, and has since brought smiles to TikTok users who are keen on the inclusion of pets in social gatherings.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
So far, about 30 people have been located and a number of pets, according to the DANA Desaparcideo organizers.
—Atika Shubert, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes do not need much water to reproduce and tend to lay eggs just above the water line in small, artificial sources of water, like buckets, pet dishes, fountains and bird baths, plant pots and saucers and old tires.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
But animal rights campaigners and pet owners have long complained that the noise causes extreme distress to animals.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
Muster the courage to walk past it, or even crouch down to pet it?
—Elizabeth Carlen, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
Of course Buster turns out to have been abused, and bonds deeply with me, but barks and flees whenever Lily comes home, and hides whenever Ione tries to pet him.
—Charles Bock, People.com, 6 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pet
Dictionary Entries Near pet
Cite this Entry
“Pet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pet. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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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