any domesticated or tamed animal that is kept as a companion and cared for affectionately.
a person especially cherished or indulged; favorite.
He was the teacher's pet.
a thing particularly cherished.
kept or treated as a pet.
a pet lamb.
especially cherished or indulged, as a child or other person.
favorite; most preferred.
a pet theory.
showing fondness or affection.
to address someone with pet words.
a tame animal kept in a household for companionship, amusement, etc
a person who is fondly indulged; favourite
teacher's pet
kept as a pet
a pet dog
of or for pet animals
pet food
particularly cherished; favourite
a pet theory
a pet hatred
familiar or affectionate
a pet name
a single fine day during a period of bad weather
(tr) to treat (a person, animal, etc) as a pet; pamper
(tr) to pat or fondle (an animal, child, etc)
informal (intr) (of two people) to caress each other in an erotic manner, as during lovemaking (often in the phrase heavy petting )
What does pet mean? A pet is any animal that is tamed and trained to be kept as a companion, such as a dog or a bird. To pet means to stroke or rub an animal’s fur or body in a cherished way. A pet can also be a person or object that someone cherishes or indulges. Finally, pet can describe something that is cherished, such as a pet theory. Example: She is so extravagant that she has a big birthday party for her pet dog every year.
First recorded in 1500–10; perhaps back formation from pet lamb. shortened variant of petty lamb “little lamb”; see petty
First recorded in 1590–1600; origin uncertain; cf. pettish
First recorded in 1975–80
A pet is an animal you keep as a companion, usually in your house. People love to pet, or touch, their pets. A pet is also a favorite. A teacher’s pet is the teacher’s fave student. No barking required. Your pet might be a hamster in a cage or a big dog that sleeps in your bed. Farm animals, like cows and goats, aren't usually considered to be pets, but that’s how the word started. Pet comes from Scottish dialect and used to refer to a favorite animal that got to come live inside, like Wilbur the pig in Charlotte’s Web. Pet is also a creepy form of endearment. When pet is a verb, it means “to stroke or caress.”
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Swiss giant has said it is cutting around 16,000 jobs, has sold off brands and is reorganizing the business around four main categories–coffee, pet care, nutrition and food.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
Survey respondents told the firm that demand for vet services was still strong, and that more people have been using pet insurance to cover their pets.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
The pet hospital lost one of two AC units, meaning the facility is able to keep animals in its care and their human clients comfortable.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
Criw Compostio picks up waste, as well as wood shavings from a carpentry business and used rabbit and guinea pig bedding from pet owners, twice a week.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
Danny had asked Pili if they could get a hamster as a pet, and she said, “One day, when we have our own home.”
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
Last year, seven U.S. polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, recycling plants were shut down — accounting for 25% of the nation’s capacity.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026
Earlier research has shown that plasma p tau217 closely reflects the buildup of amyloid and tau in the brain, as seen on PET scans.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 23, 2026
Through a PET scan and spinal tap, I saw the sticky, abnormal plaques associated with the disease building up in my brain.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 3, 2026
A series of chemical processes then transform those fossil fuels into Polyethylene terephthalate -- or PET -- which the bottle is made from.
From Barron's ● Jan. 26, 2026
But I’d had a total body PET scan on the first night in the hospital, they told me, and the news was good: no tumor growth.
From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
“Or cuddling with your pet. Service and volunteerism can also be a joy.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2025
Fighting back tears, Ms O'Malley said: "I miss her so much. She was my little friend, my pet. I'm literally dizzy with grief and it's the same every day."
From BBC ● Jan. 24, 2024
"People see friends as lonely or wanting companionship, and they recommend getting a pet. But it's unlikely that it'll be as transformative as people think."
From Science Daily ● Nov. 10, 2023
“Have fun with your pet. Keep everything positive, and always leave your pet wanting more because . . . they’ll want to keep working with you.”
From Washington Post ● Sep. 14, 2021
“Yeah, a turtle. It’s his pet. He takes it for a ride in that wagon. He’s been doing it almost every day since before the first grade.”
From "Crash" by Jerry Spinelli
As touching obedience to those that are set over us, if they mean not to tyrannise over the Lord's inheritance, 1 Pet. v.
From The Works of Mr. George Gillespie (Vol. 1 of 2) by Gillespie, George
We want the reader to open his Bible and read I Pet. ii.
From The Assembly of God Miscellaneous Writings of C. H. Mackintosh, volume III by Mackintosh, C. (Charles) H. (Henry)
The following passages, examined by means of Tischendorf's notes, will prove what is here alleged: 1 Pet. iii.
From A Plain Introduction to the Criticism of the New Testament, Vol. II. by Scrivener, Frederick Henry Ambrose
There is an innate desire in the saints after it, as new born babes they desire the sincere milk of the word, 1 Pet. ii.
From A Hind Let Loose Or, An Historical Representation of the Testimonies of the Church of Scotland for the Interest of Christ. With the True State Thereof in All Its Periods by Shields, Alexander
Accordingly on Sabbath morning, rising early, he went to church, where Mr. Melvil preached from 2 Pet. ii.
From Biographia Scoticana (Scots Worthies) A Brief Historical Account of the Lives, Characters, and Memorable Transactions of the Most Eminent Scots Worthies by Howie, John
He spent a full minute sniffing my legs and shoes, after coming up to Viana to be petted.
From Slate ● May 27, 2026
The pair shook hands with members of the public, accepted gifts and flowers, and also petted a few dogs beside some delighted owners.
From BBC ● Mar. 21, 2025
The sun was shining and our hearts were full as we sipped rosé and petted dogs and horse along the way.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 22, 2023
The boldest cats entered huts and perhaps allowed themselves to be petted – kittens are adorable! – and, voilà, the domestic cat was born.
From Salon ● Aug. 11, 2023
He petted one donkey while he ate his handful of rough oats, stopping occasionally to spit out a husk.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
After building many homes in the Houston suburbs, Lorenzo Salgado finally built his own, where he would sit every evening after work, listening to music and petting his dog, Ronaldo Salgado said.
From Barron's ● Jul. 9, 2026
“The Knicks just won a championship, we were so happy,” she yells out, petting her dog.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2026
Capybaras occasionally wander into the café, though petting them isn’t allowed.
From Slate ● May 27, 2026
Sixteen people have become unwell with after visiting a petting farm in Edinburgh.
From BBC ● May 6, 2026
Nancy turned to the page in her notebook where she had written a reminder about how there weren't many people at the petting zoo.
From "Pony Problems: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #3" by Carolyn Keene
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
