pup

1 of 2

noun

ˈpəp How to pronounce pup (audio)
Synonyms of pupnext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Just days later, Kelce was photographed traveling with the same dog, and online sleuths quickly connected the pup to an April 2026 video clip of a similar dog jumping into one of Swift’s cars. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 1 Sep. 2026 According to Forbes, the new pup is named Wendy, perhaps after Swift’s love of singing about Peter Pan … or maybe Travis really likes a Frosty. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
This pup not only got $5,000 richer with the prize, but also won a trip to New York for a live appearance on NBC's Today Show in mid August. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026 Created by Joe Brumm, Bluey centers around an Australian blue heeler pup and her family -- mom Chilli, dad bandit and little sister Bingo. — Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pup

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of pup was in 1542

Phrases Containing pup

Rhymes for pup

See All Rhymes for pup

Browse Nearby Words

punya
pup
pupa
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pup. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pup

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

More from Merriam-Webster on pup

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pup

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