pet
noun
any domesticated or tamed animal that is kept as a companion and cared for affectionately.
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pet
1 American
[pet]
/ pɛt /
noun
-
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.
adjective
-
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.
verb (used with object)
petted,
petting
verb (used without object)
petted,
petting
pet
2
American
[pet]
/ pɛt /
noun
verb (used without object)
PET
3
American
[pet]
/ pɛt /
noun
Computers, Medicine/Medical.
pet.
4
American
abbreviation
Pet.
5
American
abbreviation
pet
1
British
/ pɛt /
noun
-
a tame animal kept in a household for companionship, amusement, etc
-
a person who is fondly indulged; favourite
teacher's pet
adjective
-
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
verb
-
(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 )
PET
2
British
abbreviation
acronym
pet
3
British
/ pɛt /
noun
verb
Pet.
4
British
abbreviation
pet
Idioms
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of pet1
First recorded in 1500–10; perhaps back formation from pet lamb. shortened variant of petty lamb “little lamb”; see petty
Origin of pet2
First recorded in 1590–1600; origin uncertain; cf. pettish
Origin of PET3
First recorded in 1975–80
Explanation
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.”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"Your pet would come first. You'd have a bit of toast yourself and pay out for your pet," said Chatham cat owner Christine Gardner.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
The branch has supplied 18,909 food items, 1,294 treats and 919kg of biscuits so far in 2026 through its pet food bank.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
A feline drawn from a package of pet food or kitty litter grins at viewers in “Laughing Cat,” while the eerily smiling woman in “The Refrigerator” was copied from a baking-soda ad.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
The script wisely cuts back on some of the book’s cuteness, only sparingly making Jay refer to a makeshift tool by its pet name, “Beaky.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026
I notice Autumn adopt a look that I have seen a couple of times in the pet store.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
GE HealthCare’s pharmaceutical-diagnostics business, which includes the injections used in PET scans, had $2.9 billion in revenue last year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
Sofie, based in Dulles, Va., operates a network of specialized pharmacies that distribute the tracers used in PET scans.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
Danish intelligence agency PET in September warned that Russia was "actively preparing acts of sabotage targeting the defence industry in Denmark".
From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026
The treatment generated significantly more hydrogen from PET while operating at temperatures 300-400 degrees Celsius below those used in traditional steam gasification.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 31, 2026
I had a PET scan scheduled in a couple weeks.
From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
"People really need to know what they are letting themselves in for before buying an exotic pet. Come and speak to people like us, or staff at zoos - find out what it entails."
From BBC ● Dec. 28, 2025
“Or cuddling with your pet. Service and volunteerism can also be a joy.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2025
"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
“Get a manicure. Get a toupee. Get drunk. Retirement fund. Get out of bed. Get ready! Let’s go with manuals. Get sick in there. Let’s say a pet. Let’s say shoes. Bette Davis.”
From New York Times ● Apr. 15, 2022
“It’s okay, pet. One day you’ll want a family of your own.”
From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly
And the Apostle, after mentioning the Mystery of Christ's Sufferings, exhorts, Be ye Holy in all Manner of Conversation, 1 Pet. i.
From John Woolman's Journal by John Woolman
The following epistle was then read by one of the bishops:— 1 Pet. ii.
From Coronation Anecdotes by Giles Gossip
All the commands that we have for suffering, are either to direct the manner of it, that it be patiently and cheerfully, when forced to it wrongfully, 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 Alexander Shields
Then the whole Scriptures of God must yet be better proved, because the unstable do wrest them, as Peter speaks, 2 Pet. iii.
From The Works of Mr. George Gillespie (Vol. 1 of 2) by George Gillespie
Its absence produces the hiatus in B*C in 1 Pet. ii.
From A Plain Introduction to the Criticism of the New Testament, Vol. II. by Frederick Henry Ambrose Scrivener
I petted my bird by tapping my screen while my real life cat glared at me from a corner.
From Slate ● Sep. 6, 2026
Attendees wearing cowboy hats line danced, petted fluffy white calves and posed for pictures in front of an inflated cactus.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 12, 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 video of Paora, which was posted to social media, showed him being scratched and petted around the neck and face by a zookeeper, as well as members of the public.
From New York Times ● May 24, 2023
I reached out with my other hand and petted him, trying to soothe him as much as myself.
From "The Ugly One" by Leanne Statland Ellis
“My favorite part about Tail Town is the different cat personalities, and when the cats get adopted,” said volunteer Darlene Zobel, petting a white and brown tabby, Hana, on her lap.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
Fumes from a barbecue, or petting a cat or dog, can also trigger an allergic reaction.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
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
We’ll save the farm petting zoo and a lake cruise for another visit.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
Fern was busy petting and hugging the bloodhound.
From "Gone Crazy in Alabama" by Rita Williams-Garcia
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