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:
Late one night, their dad woke them up, told them to pack their bags as quickly as possible and fled with them to Reno, leaving their pet pit bull behind.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
"It's really upsetting on behalf of the children, because that's not anything that they should ever be faced with, especially with a pet cat," she said.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
“Receiving cold calls from friends and family is now a huge pet peeve of mine,” she said.
From Salon ● Sep. 30, 2026
One of her Airbnb pet peeves: when owners put out items that are too personal.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026
"Show-and-Tell day at nursery school. Are you going to take your blue ribbon from the pet show?"
From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry
Sofie makes tracer agents that are injected into patients during PET scans, which help create images of tumors or other hidden parts of the body.
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
PET responded well to the alkaline treatment, but polyethylene and polypropylene initially produced less hydrogen.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 31, 2026
“This past weekend, after undergoing CT and PET scans, I learned that my ovarian cancer has returned,” Evert, 71, wrote.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026
After my PET scan lit up, I snuck into the ICU and saw her while she was unconscious.
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
“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
“I’ve always wanted one for a pet. Along with a hellhound!”
From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
You will be sorry to hear that not Alford nor Tennant, but Hildyard Pet. hath obtained the second.
From Tennyson and His Friends by Various
In reference to the passage under consideration, it is said in 1 Pet. ii.
From Christology of the Old Testament: And a Commentary on the Messianic Predictions. Vol. 2 by Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg
Nay, let us farther observe with Junius,1074 that the apostles hath a twofold power: one common to them with other presbyters, 1 Pet. v.
From The Works of Mr. George Gillespie (Vol. 1 of 2) by George Gillespie
Later in the same year Ziegler published more fragments from the same MS., which had been used in covering some other books; these give us 1 Pet. i. 8-19; ii. 20-iii.
From A Plain Introduction to the Criticism of the New Testament, Vol. II. by Frederick Henry Ambrose Scrivener
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 John Howie
He spent a full minute sniffing my legs and shoes, after coming up to Viana to be petted.
From Slate ● May 27, 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
In 1922, one of the earliest studies to emphasize the benefits of touch found that rats who were infrequently touched were more timid and high-strung than those who were petted.
From Salon ● Jan. 20, 2023
Dad petted the dog and said, “He’s too old to hunt?”
From "The Watsons Go to Birmingham" by Christopher Paul Curtis
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
“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
“Oh my, I didn’t mean to upset you. One thing my gran is correct about: blood pressure is a silent enemy. Let’s start over. I suggest we establish a tradition of petting these griffins.”
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
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.
