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:
In a post-election piece Thursday, Josh Dawsey of the Journal reported that voters in focus groups who didn’t normally monitor Washington often brought up “Trump’s pet projects”—the ballroom, the Reflecting Pool.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026
On 11 April, Gordon took a video of Delia with her pet guinea pigs which was to be the last footage in which she was seen alive.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
Whether even a pet dog can is unknown, except perhaps in the eyes of its owner.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026
In Edinburgh, one woman was heard telling her partner that if pet food was good enough for the dog, it was good enough for him.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 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, 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
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
Solar-driven photoreforming and electrochemical conversion, for example, generally work only with oxygen-containing plastics such as PET.
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
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
“These are not reasonable loans, the terms are predatory, in some cases doubling the cost of the pet. That’s absurd.”
From Washington Post ● Sep. 30, 2022
“But we need you here, pet. How could we live without you?”
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
Self-denial is the ornament and beauty of a creature, and therefore humility is an ornament and clothing, 1 Pet. v.
From The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning by Hugh Binning
There are also h, containing 1 Pet. iv. 17-2 Pet. ii.
From A Plain Introduction to the Criticism of the New Testament, Vol. II. by Frederick Henry Ambrose Scrivener
Mr. Blair taking occasion, in a sermon from 1 Pet. iii.
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
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
This is the imitation and resemblance of God's spotless holiness and purity, “Be ye holy, as I am holy,” 1 Pet. i.
From The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning by Hugh Binning
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
Footage of a kiwi in Miami being petted by zoo visitors under fluorescent lights has caused an outcry in New Zealand.
From New York Times ● May 25, 2023
In many ways he was still very primitive, but he liked people a great deal and would lean against your leg to be petted.
From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen
To celebrate, the store threw her a party, which included a petting zoo, ice-cream truck and, yes, fried Oreos.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
Also offered: a straw maze, pumpkin decorating, a petting zoo, giant rocking horses, slides and more.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 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
“So I’m there hugging Grandpa and petting little Cicero and feeling just fantastic when I hear this voice say, ‘Cletus, go on home now.’
From "Missing May" by Cynthia Rylant
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