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
However, others said that corporate consolidation and private-equity ownership in the industry had pushed prices beyond many pet owners’ reach.
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
Criw Compostio picks up waste, as well as wood shavings from a carpentry business and used rabbit and guinea pig bedding from pet owners, twice a week.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
I’m about to reach out, to ask if I can pet him, when I realize…he doesn’t have any eyes.
From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy
“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
Apart from bottled water and beverages, PET packaging is also used extensively in industries like beauty, pharmaceuticals and even in restaurants and food delivery as customers seek out convenience and affordability.
From BBC ● Apr. 2, 2026
Earlier research has shown that plasma p tau217 closely reflects the buildup of amyloid and tau in the brain, as seen on PET scans.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 23, 2026
Through a PET scan and spinal tap, I saw the sticky, abnormal plaques associated with the disease building up in my brain.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 3, 2026
She reached into her head and summoned the loudest silent voice she could find, then threw it as hard as she could in the creature’s direction: PET, STOP!
From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi
"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
“Ouuu, little Sudsie, my little teacher’s pet. Where’s my apple? Didn’t you bring me an apple today?”
From "Fourth Grade Rats" by Jerry Spinelli
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 Binning, Hugh
Were the Revisionists serious when they suggested as the more “exact” rendering of 2 Pet. i.
From The Revision Revised by Burgon, John William
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 Scrivener, Frederick Henry Ambrose
The same form occurs in 2 Pet. i.
From Supernatural Religion, Vol. III. (of III) An Inquiry into the Reality of Divine Revelation by Cassels, Walter Richard
“Since the Fathers fell asleep”—2d Pet. iii: 4.
From A Vindication of the Seventh-Day Sabbath and the Commandments of God With a Further History of God's Peculiar People from 1847-1848 by Bates, Joseph
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
I bet nobody petted that dog since Christmas.
From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett
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
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
The companies also offer recommendations, like giving certain supplements or bringing babies to a petting zoo, which they said can improve children’s microbiomes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 3, 2026
She keeps petting Jane Kitty and doesn’t look up at me.
From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden
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.
