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
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
Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025
Users were tasked with taking care of their virtual pet by pressing buttons that simulate feeding, disciplining and playing with the critter on screen.
—Michelle Chapman, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2025
Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 22 July 2025
According to a study published Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports, pet dogs might engage with TV differently based on their personalities.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025
Kayla Grant, People.com, 21 July 2025
Michael Mullen lives with his family in Chicago, but comes to Lambs Farm to help run the carousel at the petting farm or work in the bakery.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pet
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Noun
The questions, answered anonymously, investigated dogs’ personalities and TV viewing habits, including the pets’ engagement level when animals were and were not on screen.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025
Users were tasked with taking care of their virtual pet by pressing buttons that simulate feeding, disciplining and playing with the critter on screen.
—Michelle Chapman, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2025
Adjective
Remove trash, cover items not in use, replace water in pet bowls daily and flush birdbaths at least once a week.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 22 July 2025
According to a study published Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports, pet dogs might engage with TV differently based on their personalities.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025
Verb
Alba shared more photos including a shot of Hayes running on a field outdoors during the Easter egg hunt, a group of totes filled with eggs and Hayes petting a goat during their family outing.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 21 July 2025
Michael Mullen lives with his family in Chicago, but comes to Lambs Farm to help run the carousel at the petting farm or work in the bakery.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 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 29 Jul. 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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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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