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.
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
Management called out tarantulas as “a newer pet trend” in the U.S.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
The pet hospital lost one of two AC units, meaning the facility is able to keep animals in its care and their human clients comfortable.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
Here, Nolan once again returns to his pet themes of playing God, human mistreatment, the passage of time, and bearing witness to the world’s slow, painful destruction.
From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2026
Like my favorite pet just died or an asteroid is slowly coming to destroy Earth—even though none of that is happening.
From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell
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
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
Published in Nature Communications, the research combines evidence from mice and humans, including brain tissue analysis and so-called PET scanning.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 11, 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
“I wish we had the money so every one of you kids could have a pet. But with Grandma seeming to need more care, we just don’t, and that’s that.”
From "Shiloh" by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
The Holy Spirit is called “the Spirit of glory” in 1 Pet. iv.
From The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit by Torrey, R. A. (Reuben Archer)
Pet. iii., where he says: "One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
From The Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude Preached and Explained by Gillett, E. H. (Ezra Hall)
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 Scrivener, Frederick Henry Ambrose
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 Woolman, John
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 Howie, John
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
I petted Buckminster to show him I loved him.
From "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer
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
Capybaras occasionally wander into the café, though petting them isn’t allowed.
From Slate ● May 27, 2026
One couple who dreamed of running a pop-up campsite and petting farm decided to sell up and move to England, where the limit was 60.
From BBC ● May 25, 2026
"Do your homework right away. I'm going to ask Hannah if she'll drive us over to the petting zoo."
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.
