pet

1 of 8

noun (1)

ˈpet 

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

pet

2 of 8

adjective

1

: kept or treated as a pet

2

: expressing fondness or endearment

a pet name

3

: favorite

a pet project

pet

3 of 8

verb (1)

petted; petting

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to engage in amorous embracing, caressing, and kissing : neck

petter noun

pet

4 of 8

noun (2)

: a fit of peevishness, sulkiness, or anger

—usually used in the phrase in a pet

resigned in a pet

pet

5 of 8

verb (2)

petted; petting

intransitive verb

: to take offense : sulk

pet

6 of 8

abbreviation (1)

petroleum

Pet

7 of 8

abbreviation (2)

Peter

PET

8 of 8

abbreviation (3)

positron-emission tomography

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• darling
• fave
• favorite
• minion
• preference
• speed

Adjective

• beloved
• cherished
• darling
• dear
• fair-haired
• favored
• favorite
• fond
• loved
• precious
• special
• sweet
• white-headed

Verb (1)

• caress
• fondle
• gentle
• love
• pat
• stroke

Noun (2)

• grouch
• hump [British]
• pouts
• snit
• sulk
• sulkiness
• sullenness

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

Noun

During the debate, the ABC News anchors fact-checked Trump on his claims about Haitian immigrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio. —Keely Bastow, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Sep. 2024

Harris chuckled at Trump’s mention of migrants eating pets. —Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024

Adjective

At its most optimistic, pet food could become a $15 billion industry in China in six years. —Chris Lau, CNN, 12 Sep. 2024

Through interviews with veterinarians, activists, and pet owners, the documentary unveils a powerful industry lobby that profits from this cruel procedure. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2024

Verb

The vineyard, which offers RV camping on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, also has glamping accommodations that range from tipis to cabins and an animal sanctuary where guests can pet, feed and take photos with llamas. Details: 47209 State Route 288, Young. 928-462-3314, bruzzivineyard.com. —Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 11 Sep. 2024

Visitors are always welcome to curl up on comfy chairs and pet a cat or talk shop with the owners. —American Booksellers Association, USA TODAY, 7 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

perhaps back-formation from Middle English pety small — more at petty

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1629, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1581, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1629, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pet

• family pet
• in a pet
• pet hate
• pet name
• pet peeve
• teacher's pet

Kids Definition

pet

1 of 4 noun

ˈpet 

1

: someone given special treatment or consideration

teacher's pet

2

: a tame animal kept for pleasure rather than for use

pet

2 of 4 adjective

1

: kept or treated as a pet

a pet rabbit

2

: showing fondness

a pet name

3

: favorite entry 2

my pet project

pet

3 of 4 verb

petted; petting

1

: fondle, caress

2

: to treat as a pet : pamper

3

: to engage in embracing, caressing, and kissing

pet

4 of 4 noun

: a spell of sulkiness or anger

Medical Definition

PET

abbreviation

positron-emission tomography