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:
WSJ | Buy Side: See the cheapest pet insurance options and how their costs compare.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
Others objected to a scene in the advertisement in which the actor also ties a rakhi on her pet dog.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
The US Supreme Court on Friday allowed construction of a massive White House ballroom to continue for now, giving President Donald Trump a temporary victory for one of his pet renovation projects.
From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026
Costco, the No. 1 warehouse club chain, sells everything from groceries and tires to eyeglasses and electronics and offers services such as travel planning, solar panels and pet insurance.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026
He reached out to pet Moose but the dog tugged toward Abby and barked at her.
From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret
Laboratory tests showed that the modified process successfully converted PET, PE and PP into high-purity hydrogen.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 31, 2026
Factories that would normally delay payment started putting down cash upfront "because they were so eager to secure material", said Rizq Yousif, who mainly recycles PET, the plastic widely used in beverage and food packaging.
From Barron's ● Jul. 18, 2026
That’s roughly how much of the resin used in the U.S. to make PET bottles and other packaging comes from Asia.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026
“There are still contracts that are being fulfilled, and they’re usually quarterly or monthly,” said Sally Houghton, executive director of the PET Recycling Corporation of California.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 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
"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
“But we need you here, pet. How could we live without you?”
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
Moreover James ii. 12-21; 2 Pet. i. 20-ii.
From A Plain Introduction to the Criticism of the New Testament, Vol. I. by Frederick Henry Ambrose Scrivener
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
Were the Revisionists serious when they suggested as the more “exact” rendering of 2 Pet. i.
From The Revision Revised by John William Burgon
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 Alexander Shields
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
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
Some of the officers petted the pup, who was still playful during the 45 or more minutes they waited, Gibson said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 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
I sat at the table, jolted awake by the coffee, petted Gretchen on top of her domed head, got a tail wag and, in as positive a tone as possible, said: “Used motor oil.”
From This Side of Wild by Gary Paulsen
“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
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
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 came around the petting zoo and back in the gate.
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.
