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.
Yet that’s what makes adopting a senior pet so rewarding.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
Marc von Grundherr, director of agency Benham and Reeves, said some tenants have only disclosed a pet after signing their tenancy agreement, while others have been discovered during property inspections.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
Some evacuees have brought their cats and dogs with them, and bags of pet food and cat litter have been made available.
From Barron's ● Jul. 25, 2026
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
“I was asked to deliver a message to your sister and her little pet boy.”
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
PET is a medical imaging method that tracks radioactive tracers inside the body to reveal activity in organs and tissues.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 17, 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
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
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
The chemical is also a radioactive isotope, which means it can be visualized using a PET scan.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
“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
“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
“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
We will give but three instances more:—In 1 S. Pet. v.
From The Revision Revised by Burgon, John William
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)
A roaring lion and an adversary, 1 Pet. v.
From The Messiah in Moses and the Prophets by Lord, Eleazar
Moreover James ii. 12-21; 2 Pet. i. 20-ii.
From A Plain Introduction to the Criticism of the New Testament, Vol. I. by Scrivener, Frederick Henry Ambrose
We are to be subject to them for the Lord's sake, as well as to the supreme magistrate, 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
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
“Holmesy has most of the major fears,” Daisy said as she petted Tua.
From "Turtles All the Way Down" by John Green
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
Companies offer tests, supplements and guidance—like petting zoos and dirt piles—with the promise of improving infants’ health.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 4, 2026
“I happen to know he’s right over there in the petting zoo and was not the main entrée at dinner. So go tell your bad jokes somewhere else.”
From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling
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.
