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:
Monthly pet insurance premiums average $70 for dogs and $36 for cats.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026
Another pet peeve for many are sketchy cycling lanes in a city where 18 percent of all trips are made by bike.
From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026
Gen Z is fueling the increase in pet ownership.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026
They might also pet them from a distance with a retractable cat scratcher.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
“No,” Tansy said, “Alice’s favorite pet is a little green garter snake that lives in her purse.”
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
Danish intelligence agency PET in September warned that Russia was "actively preparing acts of sabotage targeting the defence industry in Denmark".
From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026
Another yeast strain can use ethylene glycol derived from PET to produce beta carotene, which the human body can convert into vitamin A.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 13, 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
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
“Geez. Look at it this way. If you add our ages together, we're not minors; we're one adult. Freebie isn't a pet. He’s a hotel guest and family member. And I showered after basketball.”
From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty
Accordingly on Sabbath morning, rising early, he went to church, where Mr. Melvil preached from 2 Pet. ii.
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
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 John Woolman
Were the Revisionists serious when they suggested as the more “exact” rendering of 2 Pet. i.
From The Revision Revised by John William Burgon
The following passages, examined by means of Tischendorf's notes, will prove what is here alleged: 1 Pet. iii.
From A Plain Introduction to the Criticism of the New Testament, Vol. II. by Frederick Henry Ambrose Scrivener
I petted my bird by tapping my screen while my real life cat glared at me from a corner.
From Slate ● Sep. 6, 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
He petted dogs and stroked kittens at animal shelters outside Donetsk.
From New York Times ● Jan. 22, 2024
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
“Oh, that’s terrible! My cat, Chad, just loves to be picked up and petted and hugged! He’s really smart, too!”
From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth
“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
Following the outbreak, the farm shop voluntarily suspended its feeding and petting sessions and cooperated fully with the investigation, PHW said last year.
From BBC ● Mar. 24, 2026
Abby sat down on the floor and started petting Reginald’s fur in an attempt to soothe the dog and herself.
From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein
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.
